Structure of MoS$_{2}$ Plates as Revealed by High Resolution Electron Microscopic Techniques

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS$_{2})$ is a compound found in nature as molybdenite, natural MoS$_{2}$ has a hexagonal crystal form. MoS$_{2}$ is a compound very useful for its properties; it is used as lubricant, catalyst in hydrodesulfuration, in hydrogen fuel storage, etc. Currently, researchers are synthesizing MoS$_{2}$ with new shapes and MoS$_{2}$ nanoparticles. In this work MoS$_{2}$ nanohexagonal plates were synthesized at different temperatures and characterized with XRD, SEM, Raman spectroscopy and HRTEM. This compound has a plate size of 20--30 nm as revealed by SEM, with HRTEM was possible to measure the interatomic distance of Mo--Mo, which was 2.8 {\AA}. This compound is intended to be used as catalyst in fuel hydrodesulfuration.