Template-free synthesis of uniform rose-like MoS₂ hierarchitectures and their enhanced photocatalytic properties

In this work, uniform rose-like MoS₂ hierarchitectures have been succefully synthesized on a large scale through a template-free hydrothermal method by the reaction of hexaammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate [(NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O] and thioacetamide (CH₃CSNH₂). The rose-like MoS₂ hierarchitectures have a diameter of 350–450 nm and are formed by the assembly of numerous nanosheets. A reasonable growth mechanism of the MoS₂ hierarchitectures was proposed according to the time-dependent experiments. In addition, the as-prepared rose-like MoS₂ hierarchitectures show a large specific surface area of 33.72 m² g⁻¹ with a dominant pore diameter of 46 nm. UV–Vis absorption spectrum indicated that the sample shows a large blue-shift compared to bulk MoS₂. The photocatalytic properties were investigated and exhibit enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance with the assistence of H₂O₂, which can be attributed to the special structural feature with an open and porous nanostructured surface layer that significantly facilitates the diffusion and mass transportation of MB molecules and oxygen species in photochemical reaction of MB degradation. This resulting rose-like MoS₂ hierarchitectures are very promising visible light photocatalysts for the degradation of dye pollutants and other applications.