Directing the architecture of various MoS2 hierarchical hollow cages through the controllable synthesis of surfactant/molybdate composite precursors

We proposed a general route to MoS2 hierarchical hollow cages, in which abundant hollow cages with various well-defined, novel geometrical morphologies were fabricated via a self-assembly coupled with surfactant/molybdate composite precursor crystal templating process based on the Kirkendall Effect. The in situ formed surfactant/molybdate composite precursor crystals with cubic structures, which are cooperatively assembled by periodic Mo oxo anion and tetrabutylammonium cation, play crucial roles as both the Mo source and the template in the formation Of MoS2 hierarchical hollow cages. Various morphologies of the surfactanUmolybdate composite precursor crystals were controllably synthesized through a methodical tuning of the habit and the degree of branching of precursor crystals by varying the SCN- concentration and surfactant concentration.