Simple solution route to uniform MoS2 particles with randomly stacked layers

MoS2 particles of uniform size (ca. 70 nm) consisting of random and loosely stacked layers have been synthesized from hydrazine solution with (NH4)2Mo3S13 as the precursor at 180 °C for 16 h under hydrothermal conditions. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM). The influences of reaction conditions are discussed while a mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of this peculiar morphology.