Facile Synthesis Route for Bulk Production of Complex Fullerene-Like MoS Nanostructures With Enhanced Tribological Properties.

Molybdenum-based nanoparticles are often used as oil additives to enhance a material's tribological performance. Here, we present a highly efficient synthetic route for the bulk production of two types of MoS nanostructures: multi-wall nanotubes and fullerene-like nanostructures. The presented two-step synthesis involves the transformation of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate and aniline into precursor nanowires, which are later transformed into MoS through heating in a HS, H, and argon atmosphere to approximately 800 °C.