Synthesis of MoS2 nanoparticles using MoO3 nanobelts as precursor via a PVP-assisted hydrothermal method

The synthesis of MoS2 nanoparticles from MoO3 with a certain morphology through a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process is described in this paper. MoO3, which has a nanobelt morphology with a width of 100-500 nm and a length from one to several micrometers, is used as the precursor, and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is used as the surfactant. The morphology of the resulting MoS2 nanomaterial has been characterized by the field-emission scanning electron microscope, which shows that the obtained nanoparticles have diameters ranging from 50 to 100 nm with rough surfaces. Additionally, the composition and crystallinity as well as the phase information of the produced nanoparticles have been characterized by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer and X-ray diffraction. Specifically, in this process, the presence of PVP plays a crucial role for the successful fabrication of the nanoparticle morphology, which may be due to the formation of PVP micelles leading to an oriented aggregation of MoS2 nuclei. In addition, comparative experiments have been conducted and the possible reaction mechanism is proposed.