Direct synthesis, characterization, and reverse electrodialysis applications of MoS2 thin film on aluminum foil

Abstract This study reports the direct synthesis of MoS2 thin film on Al foil by chemical vapor deposition in a closed reactor. The electrochemical properties of the thin film were analyzed using reverse electrodialysis between salt water and fresh water. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses revealed the porous and defective surface morphologies and layered crystalline structure of the MoS2 thin film. In cross-sectional TEM images, the MoS2 thin film was random and obliquely layered on the surface of Al foil native oxide. According to electrochemical tests, the maximum gross power density of MoS2/Al was approximately 34 W/m2, 54% higher than that of the as-received Al and 78% superior to the bulk MoS2 disk. The results confirmed that MoS2 was uniformly coated on the Al foil. MoS2/Al is a superior and inexpensive cathode for reverse electrodialysis, representing a new energy application of MoS2.