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.