Layered nanocomposites based on molybdenum disulfide and hydroxy-NiAl oligocations: characterization and catalytic activities in oxidation of sulfide

A series of layered nanocomposites constructed from MoS2 and hydroxy-NiAl oligocations with various Ni/Al ratios were prepared. The interlayer expansions of 8.11–9.03 A with Ni/Al ≤ 0.8 indicate that the intercalated species should mainly be [AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+ or substituted [Al13−x Ni x O4(OH)24(H2O)12](7−x)+ Keggin oligocations. In the presence of molecular oxygen, the composites exhibit good catalytic activities in the oxidization of sulfide ions into thiosulfate ions, and their catalytic activities have been enhanced upon irradiation with visible light.