The novel and facile preparation of multilayer MoS2 crystals by a chelation-assisted sol–gel method and their electrochemical performance

Abstract

Multilayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) was facilely prepared by a chelation-assisted sol–gel method with ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate ((NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O) as the molybdenum source, thioacetamide (CH₃CSNH₂) as the sulfur source and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Dtpa) as the chelating agent, subsequently followed by high-temperature calcination. The chelating agent Dtpa ingeniously mediated the chelation reaction of the system and promoted the formation of a monolithic gel. The hexagonal MoS₂ crystal (2H-MoS₂) with good crystallinity precipitated after calcination at 1000 °C with the Mo and S mass ratio of 1 : 3. The adjustable MoS₂ layers stacked together to form MoS₂ flakes, and these flakes aggregated to construct crystalline MoS₂ particles. The electrochemical tests showed the possibility of as-prepared MoS₂ crystals applied as a negative electrode for lithium ion batteries.