Different Morphological Features of Sulphidation Induced MoG Solid Spheres and Phase Mixing in Ball-in-Ball MoS2 Heterostuctures

Tailoring the morphological features of nanomaterials is of great importance for varied applications in energy storage, environment remediation etc. but is hampered by different parameters. Herein, a novel step by step synthesis approach is reported to elucidate different morphology of MoS2 heterostructures. A solvothermal method is employed to synthesize molybdenum glycerate (MoG) solid spheres (SS) followed by subsequent sulphidation. Continuous sulphidation of 3 hours and 8 hours produces flowers and ball-in-ball MoS2 heterostructures respectively. FESEM micrographs show the formation of MoG SS and different MoS2 heterostructures. XRD, Raman and UV measurements confirm the phase transition from 2H (semiconductor) to 1T (metallic) phase in 8 hours sulphidated ball-in-ball heterostructure. The formation of ball-in-ball morphology is attributed to the Kirkendall effect. The findings could potentially be extended to the idea of phase transitions and their applications.