Different Useful Applications of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanopowder

Molybdenum Disulfide Nanopowder

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is formed by the reaction between molybdenum and sulfur, which have different positions on the Periodic Table. It is an inorganic compound that is available as molybdenite ore in the nature. The physical and chemical properties of molybdenum disulfide nanopowder help in many applications in the field of nanotechnology, as well other industrial fields. It is classified in the category of transition metal dichalcogenides, due to its chemical composition.

Important applications of MoS2 depending on its properties

Semiconductor in nanotechnology – MoS2 of monolayer thickness has a direct bandgap whereas the Bulk MoS2 acts as an indirect bandgap semiconductor. Thus, this nanopowder can be used in all 2D devices, due to its optoelectronic properties. The crystals of Bulk MoS2 can be transformed into the monolayer form, just by exfoliating its layers to leave a single layer of molecules. It is easy to flake off these layers by dissolving in suitable solvents or using a dry micromechanical process with an adhesive material.

Solid lubricant – MoS2 is widely used for lubricating in the environments of inert gases and even vacuum, where its friction coefficient is 0.03 and may dip to even lower level. However, the friction coefficient varies between 0.15 and 0.30 in room temperature with high humidity level, due to the water sensitivity of MoS2. It can be mixed with liquid lubricants at a minimum temperature of 88 K and this lubricant in grease can be used commercially at the temperature of 173 K.

Spaceships – MoS2 is also used in coating spacecrafts, due to its capacity of working in all temperatures and pressures. Thus, it repels heat when applied on the body of a spacecraft and it can also bear the heavy atmospheric pressure on higher levels. It is also perfect for working without air in the spaces. Thus, MoS2 is also used for coating artificial satellites that are used for collecting various kinds of information.

Catalyst in coal industry – The chemical inertness of MoS2 makes it a good catalyst in many chemical reactions, as it hardly reacts with oxides and other chemical solutions. Thus, it is used as the catalyst in the process of liquefying coal on a commercial level.

MoS2 nanoparticles can also be synthetically made in the laboratories, using different temperature levels to obtain this amorphous powder for various uses.