Ionic liquid assisted hydrothermal synthesis of hollow core/shell MoS2 microspheres

Hollow core/shell MoS2 microspheres were successfully hydrothermally synthesized by adding an ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([EMIM] Br) as additive. The obtained MoS2 products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MoS2 microspheres have uniform morphology with the mean diameter of 2.5μm and the shell thickness of about 0.8μm. The surfaces of the hollow core/shell MoS2 microspheres are constructed by MoS2 nanosheets. Ionic liquids play an important role in the formation of hollow core/shell MoS2 microspheres. MoS2 microspheres with double-shell structure can be acquired by increasing the dosage of ionic liquid. A soft template mechanism of the hollow core/shell structure is proposed. •Hollow core/shell MoS2 microspheres were hydrothermally synthesized.•Ionic liquids are important for the formation of hollow core/shell structure.•Double-shell structure can be acquired by increasing ionic liquids' dosage.•A soft template mechanism of the hollow core/shell structure is proposed.