A low-temperature extraction–solvothermal route to the fabrication of micro-sized MoS2 spheres modified by Cyanex 301

Mono-dispersed molybdenum disulfide micro-spheres with the diameter of 1–3 μm have been successfully synthesized via extraction–solvothermal method at 150 °C. The extractant Cyanex 301 (di-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) dithiophosphinic acid) acted as phase transferring agent, reductant, sulfur source and morphology-controlling agent in the whole procedure. The obtained MoS2 micro-spheres were characterized by XRD, EDS, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, IR, UV-Vis and TG, respectively. The influences of reaction conditions were discussed while a mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of the micro-spheres. Moreover, the tribological properties of liquid paraffin (LP) containing Cyanex 301-modified MoS2 micro-spheres were also evaluated on a four-ball machine, showing that the obtained MoS2 product was an excellent oil additive in LP and such lubricant had good anti-wear and friction-reducing properties.