Carbon nanotubes coated with tubular MoS2 layers prepared by hydrothermal reaction

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with MoS2 were produced by hydrothermal reaction using Na2MoO4 as the Mo source and CS(NH2)(2) as the reducing agent and S source, with CNTs present. The product was characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Raman and x-ray diffraction methods. The effects of CNTs on the formation of the tubular MoS2 layers were discussed. It was found that CNTs provide a topological and structural template favouring nucleation and growth of tubular MoS2 layers on the surface of CNTs. The tubular MoS2 layers had a high crystallinity. Heteronanostructural MoS2/CNTs composite nanotubes could be obtained in this facile way.