The isolation of two-dimensional graphene from the three-dimensional structure of graphite has triggered the isolation and exploitation of other related two-dimensional laminar materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), e.g. molybdenum disulfide, MoS2. The objective here is the development of operative structures in energy relevant applications through synthesis and assembly of novel functional (nanoporous) hybrid materials and film architectures based on controlled and optimized interface interactions featuring modified TMDs with photo-/electro-active organic species. We have developed an innovative method to efficiently exfoliate MoS2 to the corresponding mono- and oligo-layered semiconducting MoS2 sheets. In addition, we have developed methods for the chemical modification of exfoliated semiconducting MoS2 sheets through the chemistry of 1,2-dithiolanes and dithiolenes, allowing the introduction of photoactive and electrochemically active agents. Our research activity in the area is recently focused on the development of new hybrid electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting and the oxygen reduction reaction, the basic electrochemical process underpinning the technology of fuel cells. To evaluate the electrocatalytic activity and durability of the developed TMD-based nanostructured catalysts, we employ diverse electrochemical methods comprising linear and cyclic voltammetry, rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry and chronoamperometry.
