Abstract
In this study, MoS2 (Molybdenum disulfide) nanoflowers have been synthesized by hydrothermal method with adding 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride salt (BMIM[Cl]) ionic liquid as surface active agent. The materials characterization of the MoS2 nanoflowers were performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the surface morphology, material structure, and chemical properties. On the basis of our results, the photocatalytic activity of MoS2 for decomposing Rhodamine B (RhB) solution under visible light (400 < λ < 775 nm) can be reached 90 % under visible-light illumination. The sodium molybdenum oxide dehydrate (Na2MoO4‧2H2O) and thiourea (CH4N2S) were acted as precursor of MoS2. The BMIM[Cl] was dissolved in DI water to form [BMIM]+ ionic liquid with hydrophobic property, therefore MoO42- adsorbed on [BMIM]+ spheres to grew the MoO42- spheres. After that, the S2- reacted with Mo4+ to form MoS2 nanoflowers. The process was performed by hydrothermal method. FESEM images showed that the size of MoS2 nanoflowers increases with increasing the concentration of BMIM[Cl]. The XRD pattern indicated the nanoflowers belong to 2H-MoS2 structure (JCPDS Card No.37-1492).The HRTEM showed layer by layer structure. The Raman patterns showed that the 383 cm-1 (E12g) and 408 cm-1 (A1g) modes have been observed.