MoS2@DAS Hydrogel Experiment for Interdisciplinary Teaching: Enhancing Undergraduates’ Research Literacy

Abstract

The comprehensive teaching experiment presented herein exhibits strong interdisciplinary integration, practical relevance, and application potential, making it a suitable experimental teaching program for undergraduates majoring in materials chemistry, polymer science, and other related fields. This experiment successfully integrates organic synthesis techniques, nanomaterial preparation methods, and polymer hydrogel performance characterization skills acquired by undergraduate students, which is critical for enhancing their comprehensive experimental operation capabilities. Through hands-on practice, students not only enhance their ability to solve complex experimental problems but also develop innovative thinking and scientific research literacy. Taking the application requirements of multifunctional hydrogels in the biomedical field as the starting point, the experiment guides students to deeply explore the intrinsic relationship between the chemical structure and properties of materials, thereby establishing a systematic cognitive framework. Throughout the experiment, students complete the synthesis of dopamine methacrylamide (DMA), the preparation of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets, and the construction of MoS2 composite hydrogels (MoS2@DAS), followed by evaluating the mechanical, adhesive, catalytic, and photothermal properties of the hydrogels via various characterization methods. The teacher–student interactive teaching mode runs through the entire process of experimental preparation, implementation, and summary, positively expanding students’ theoretical knowledge, improving practical skills, and fostering innovation ability.