Direct synthesis of mesostructured lamellar molybdenum disulfides using a molten neutral n-alkylamine as the solvent and template.

A series of novel mesostructured lamellar molybdenum disulfides with the d spacings from 17 to 30 A can be prepared by the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with elemental sulfur using a molten n-alkylamine as the solvent as well as the template at 140 degrees C. Such intercalated phases can be transformed into mesoporous molybdenum disulfides by slow thermal treatments at 200 degrees C.