From MoS2 Microspheres to α‐MoO3 Nanoplates: Growth Mechanism and Photocatalytic Activities

Flowerlike MoS2 microspheres were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. 2H‐MoS2 nanoparticles, MoS2/MoO3 heterojunctions, and α‐MoO3 nanoplates were prepared by annealing the MoS2 microspheres under different reaction conditions. The formation and growth mechanism of the samples from flowerlike MoS2 microspheres to α‐MoO3 nanoplates is explained in detail. The photocatalytic properties of the four samples for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible‐light irradiation were studied. The results showed that the flowerlike MoS2 microspheres, MoS2/α‐MoO3 heterojunctions, and α‐MoO3 nanoplates all have excellent photocatalytic activities. In particular, the flowerlike MoS2 microspheres exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB.