Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of novel flowerlike MoS2 hollow microspheres

In this paper, flowerlike MoS2 hollow microspheres were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal solution route with the assistance of Pluronic F-127. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The experimental results indicated reaction time and surfactant have significant effects on the morphology of the as-prepared products. A possible formation mechanism has also been investigated on the basis of a series of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the product obtained at different durations. This well-controlled synthesis approach may be extended to fabricate complex hollow structures of other transition metal sulfide materials.

► Flowerlike MoS2 hollow microspheres have been fabricated via a hydrothermal method.
► Pluronic F-127 can be used for the morphology control of MoS2 nanostructures as a surfactant.
► A possible evolution process of Flowerlike MoS2 hollow microspheres was discussed.