Morphology and Defect Engineering of MoS 2 for Enhanced Microwave Heating: Superior Performance of Nanoflower Architecture

Microwave heating has emerged as an effective method for selectively heating target materials and promoting rapid chemical reactions. Understanding the relationship between structural features and physical properties of catalysts is crucial for optimizing microwave catalysis. This study investigated molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), a typical microwave-absorbing material capable of converting electromagnetic energy into thermal energy, by examining MoS 2 samples with different morphologies. Comprehensive comparison revealed that defect-rich MoS 2 nanoflowers exhibited superior microwave heating performance among the tested samples. This enhanced performance was attributed to the synergistic effects of defect engineering, which enhances microwave absorption through localized dipoles, and the unique nanoflower morphology, which promotes multiple reflection and absorption of microwaves between nanoflower layers. These findings highlight the critical role of morphology and defects in modulating the microwave response of MoS 2 and provide valuable insights for designing efficient microwave-responsive catalysts.