Hydrothermal synthesis of hollow MoS2 microspheres in ionic liquids/water binary emulsions

Hollow molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) microspheres were synthesized in ionic liquids (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [BMIM]CI)/water binary emulsions by the hydrothermal method at 180 degrees C for 24 h. The optimum value of volumetric proportions (ILs/water) equaled 1:9. The structure and morphology of products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The experimental results gave the evidences that the sample is consists of hollow spheres 1.8-2.1 gm in diameter, and there are much sheet-like structures on the surface of hollow MoS2 microspheres. In addition, ILs could be collected and reused for subsequent reactions. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.