Synthetic approaches to the molybdenum sulfide materials

Synthetic aspects of the molybdenum sulfide-based materials were reviewed, with emphasis on the catalytic materials. A number of preparation methods were critically compared in this review, including molecular precursor decomposition, hydrothermal, soft chemistry aqueous, surfactant-aided, intercalation–exfoliation, and solid–gas reactions. In particular, the relationship between the preparation techniques and the properties of the materials obtained was analyzed. Preparation of bulk Co–Mo–S and Ni–Mo–S mixed sulfides based on the MoS 2 structure and eminently important for catalysis was also considered.