Embellishing 2-D MoS Nanosheets on Lotus Thread Devices for Enhanced Hydrophobicity and Antimicrobial Activity.

Herein, we report cellulose-based threads from Indian sacred Lotus () of the Nymphaceae family embellished with MoS nanosheets for its enhanced hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties. MoS nanosheets synthesized by a coprecipitation method using sodium molybdate dihydrate (NaMoO·2HO) and thioacetamide (CHCSNH) were used as a sourse for MoS particle growth with cellulose threads extracted from lotus peduncles. The size, crystallinity, and morphology of pure and MoS-coated fibers were studied using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). the XRD pattern of pure lotus threads showed a semicrystalline nature, and the threads@MoS composite showed more crystallinity than the pure threads. SEM depicts that pure lotus threads possess a smooth surface, and the MoS nanosheets growth can be easily identified on the threads@MoS. Further, the presence of MoS nanosheets on threads was confirmed with EDX elemental analysis. Antimicrobial studies with and reveal that threads@MoS have better resistance than its counterpart, i.e., pure threads. MoS sheets play a predominant role in restricting the wicking capability of the pure threads due to their enhanced hydrophobic property. The water absorbency assay denotes the absorption rate of threads@MoS to 80%, and threads@MoS shows no penetration for the observed 60 min, thus confirming its wicking restriction. The contact angle for threads@MoS is 128°, indicating its improved hydrophobicity.