Synthesis of MoS_x (5 > x > 6) Amorphous Sulfides and Their Use for Preparation of MoS₂ Monodispersed Microspheres

Amorphous binary sulfides MoS 5, MoS 5.6, and MoS 6 have been prepared from the reactions in the solutions of common (NH 4 ) 2 Mo 2 S 12 precursor. Characterizations by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and EXAFS suggest that all three sulfides have the structures similar to that of MoS 3 but contain more abundant S−S bonds. The MoS 5.6 sulfide obtained by means of reflux of the solution of (NH 4 ) 2 Mo 2 S 12 in acetone has uniform size spherical morphology. Thermal decomposition of MoS 5.6 leads to hollow spheres of MoS 2 .