Unveiling the Photoinduced Electron-Donating Character of MoS2 in Covalently Linked Hybrids Featuring Perylenediimide

Abstract

The covalent functionalization of MoS2 with a perylenediimide (PDI) is reported and the study is accompanied by detailed characterization of the newly prepared MoS2-PDI hybrid material. Covalently functionalized MoS2 interfacing organic photoactive species has shown electron and/or energy accepting, energy reflecting or bi-directional electron accepting features. Herein, a rationally designed PDI, unsubstituted at the perylene core to act as electron acceptor, forces MoS2 to fully demonstrate for the first time its electron donor capabilities. The photophysical response of MoS2-PDI is visualized in an energy-level diagram, while femtosecond transient absorption studies disclose the formation of MoS2C+-PDIC@ charge separated state. The tunable electronic properties of MoS2, as a result of covalently linking photoactive organic species with precise characteristics, unlock their potentiality and enable their application in light-harvesting and optoelectronic devices.