Facile synthesis of waste-derived carbon/MoS₂ composite for energy storage and water purification applications

Biomass-metal dichalcogenides composites are emerging composite materials, and they have attracted a great deal of interest in energy storage and water remediation applications due to their tunable pore structure and large surface area. Biomass on its own has poor conductivity and low stability which can be remedied by combining with metal dichalcogenides for the enhanced electrochemical and adsorption properties. This study aims to develop a facile, scalable multifunctional biomass carbon material from waste human hair and kapok waste by one step hydrothermal technique, thereby mediating waste disposal problem through reuse. The incorporation of MoS₂ was effective and the successfully prepared H-MoS₂/carbon and K-MoS₂/carbon significantly improved the performance including high capacitance, rate capability and good cyclic stability for energy storage. These materials are also potential candidates to remove chromium metal from contaminated water. The K-MoS₂/carbon and H-MoS₂/carbon exhibited enhanced energy storage and absorption efficiency when compared with the bare MoS₂ sample. This study provides an effective way to prepare high-performance multifunctional biomass-MoS₂ material from waste human hair and kapok fibre. Furthermore, it provides a feasible strategy for waste disposal, in addition to making a valuable contribution to the energy storage system and water purification. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].