Template synthesis of near-monodisperse microscale nanofibers and nanotubules of MoS2

Near-monodisperse microscopic nanostructures of MoS2 were prepared by thermal decomposition of two different ammonium thiomolybdate molecular precursors, (NH4)(2)MoS4 and (NH4)(2)Mo3S13, within the confined voids af a porous aluminum oxide membrane template. Our low-temperature (450 degrees C) synthetic route yielded large quantities of hollow tubules of MoS2 of uniform size and shape that were similar to 30 mu m long with diameter of 50 nm and wall thicknesses of about 10 nm. More irregularly shaped, mainly solid fibers of MoS2 with diameters of about 200 nm were synthesized by changing the template to one with larger pores. The morphology of the fibers or tubules was studied with respect to the choice of precursor. the characteristics of the precursor solutions, the incorporation methods, the template characteristics, and the heat treatment during firing. The MoS2 structures were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron and X-ray diffraction,and optical absorption spectroscopy. This template-assisted growth process yielded large quantities of MoS2 tubules or fibers that could be isolated from the template. However, under the growth conditions studied, the formation of HxMoS2 "bronzes" could not be discounted.