Facile Synthesis Route for Bulk Production of Complex Fullerene-Like MoS2 Nanostructures With Enhanced Tribological Properties.

Molybdenum-based nanoparticles are often used as oil additives to enhance a material's tribological performance. Here, we present a highly efficient synthetic route for the bulk production of two types of MoS₂ nanostructures: multi-wall nanotubes and fullerene-like nanostructures. The presented two-step synthesis involves the transformation of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate and aniline into precursor nanowires, which are later transformed into MoS₂ through heating in a H₂S, H₂, and argon atmosphere to approximately 800 °C. Depending on the heating rate, we successfully grew MoS₂ layered compounds in various shapes and sizes. The resulting structures and compositions were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. To assess the application potential of these MoS₂ compounds, they were dispersed in polyalphaolefin (PAO 6) oil. Improved tribological properties were observed compared to typically used transition metal dichalcogenides.