International Journal of Electrochemistry

Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 138419, 7 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/138419

Research Article

Simple Formation of Nanostructured Molybdenum Disulfide Thin Films by Electrodeposition

S. K. Ghosh,¹ C. Srivastava,¹ S. Nath,² and J. P. Celis³

¹Materials Processing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India

²Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India

³Department of Metallurgy and Materials, Katholic University of Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium

Received 30 April 2013; Accepted 18 July 2013

Academic Editor: Emmanuel Maisonhaute

Copyright © 2013 S. K. Ghosh et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Nanostructured molybdenum disulfide thin films were deposited on various substrates by direct current (DC) electrolysis form aqueous electrolyte containing molybdate and sulfide ions. Post deposition annealing at higher temperatures in the range 450–700°C transformed the as-deposited amorphous films to nanocrystalline structure. High temperature X-ray diffraction studies clearly recorded the crystal structure transformations associated with grain growth with increase in annealing temperature. Surface morphology investigations revealed featureless structure in case of as-deposited surface; upon annealing it converts into a surface with protruding nanotubes, nanorods, or dumbbell shape nanofeatures. UV-visible and FTIR spectra confirmed about the presence of Mo-S bonding in the deposited films. Transmission electron microscopic examination showed that the annealed MoS₂ films consist of nanoballs, nanoribbons, and multiple wall nanotubes.

1. Introduction

Molybdenum disulfide, MoS₂, that naturally occurs as molybdenite has layered hexagonal packed structure consisting of –S–Mo–S– sheets stacked one after another by van der Waals interactions. Because of its layered structure, it has got very good lubrication properties due to shearing of layers under the application of normal load. It is perhaps most well-known heterogeneous catalyst in industry for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of petroleum [1]. Apart from these, due to suitable electron band-gap (~1.7 ev), there is an upsurge interest on MoS₂ solar cell [2] and solar hydrogen production materials [3–5]. Recently DFT calculations [6] showed that in its nanoparticulate form, MoS₂ has demonstrated as promising and inexpensive alternative to platinum for electrochemical and photochemical production of hydrogen from water [7, 8]. It emphasized that presence of edges of S–Mo–S sheet is the active sites; in particular the Mo-edges have the least energy requirement for bonding hydrogen [7–10]. However, precise molecular structure and modes of action of these sites remain unresolved. Therefore, the synthesis of MoS₂ nanoparticulate or nanostructured form having maximum edges of S–Mo–S sheets is of recent investigations concern. Several synthetic approaches like wet inorganic solvent route, template-based, and chemical vapor deposition techniques have been followed [9–15] to prepare such nano-particulate or nanostructured MoS₂ in order to maximize the sulfide edge effect on hydrogen generation. Synthesis of such MoS₂ nanoparticles or nanostructured forms via stable amorphous precursor followed by crystallization could be a viable alternative. Previous attempts [16–18] for synthesis of MoS₃ or films for photovoltaic applications via electrochemical deposition would result in the formation of amorphous films. A heat treatment after film deposition had shown to crystallize the film into 2 h-MoS₂ structure [17]. Therefore, it is important to explore synthesis of MoS₂ films consisting of nanorods, nanotubes, or other nanofeatures via amorphous precursor by electrodeposition.

In the present study, a simple DC electrolysis was employed to produce amorphous MoS₂ film on cathode containing transition metal surfaces. Maintaining very high concentration of sodium sulfide in the electrolyte and using transition metal substrates as cathode material were two major changes adopted in this study in comparison to [16]. In case of former, prevailing idea was to maintain strong H₂S evolution, while electrolysis thereby maximized MoS₂ formation suppressing growth. Reason behind using transition metal surface as cathode materials was that, being catalytic in nature, these substrates might accelerate the nanotube/nanorod or nanoball formation during annealing. Therefore, in order to form nanostructured MoS₂ film consisting of several nanofeatures, postd eposition films were given suitable annealing treatment. Detailed structural characterization of as-deposited as well as annealed films was carried out utilizing FTIR, UV-visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM).

2. Experimental

DC electrolysis was carried out to deposit MoS₂ films from an electrolyte containing sodium molybdate (0.5 M) and sodium sulfide (30 g/L). The pH of the electrolyte was adjusted to 7 by adding dilute sulphuric acid. A two-electrode system having Pt as anode and substrate as cathode was employed for MoS₂ film growth. Typical substrates used were copper, electroless Ni, and CoW alloy in order to study the catalytic effect of substrates on fullerene/nanotube growth. All these substrates were cleaned first in alkaline solution followed by acid dip in a 10% sulphuric acid solution. Polarization experiments were carried out in EG&G PAR 273 potentiostat/galvanostat. Here, a Pt sheet was used as counter electrode, and Ag/AgCl electrode was used as reference electrode. After deposition, films were annealed in vacuum or in argon atmosphere at 450–600°C for 5 hrs for crystallization. The heating rate was maintained at 5°C min⁻¹. A 3D-optical profilometer was used for film thickness determination from step-height measurement. To record Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, Bomem Hartmann and Braun MB Series Infrared spectrometer was used. Annealed MoS₂ (450°C for 5 hrs) powder was crushed with KBr particles (1 : 5) and pressed into thin pellets for FTIR measurements in transmission mode. UV-Vis absorption spectra of annealed MoS₂ powder in water were recorded with JASCO spectrophotometer (model number V-650) using a quartz cell of 1 cm optical path length.

Surface morphology was examined under Philips XL-30 FE-SEM equipped with EDS facility. Both room temperature and high temperature XRD were carried out in Seifert 3003-TT X-ray diffractometer using CuKα1 radiation. For microstructural investigation by TEM, the MoS₂ films were scrapped off from the substrate and dispersed in absolute ethanol (AR grade) by sonication. Then, a drop of this dispersion was placed on carbon coated copper grid and dried in nitrogen before analysis in the TEM (JEOL-2010) operated at 200 kV.

3. Results and Discussions

3.1. Deposition of MoS₂ Films

The electrolytic formation of MoS₂ followed by deposition on the cathode surface is basically a two-step process. First step involves an in situ chemical conversion of molybdate to thiomolybdate ions which is followed by electrochemical reduction to MoS₂ at the cathode surface. Addition of initial precursor and excess of S²⁻ ions gave rise to pH > 12 of the electrolyte. On adding slowly a 10% H₂SO₄ solution, the electrolyte color changed to yellow with release of H₂S gas. Once pH of the electrolyte brought down below 9.0, the electrolyte color became brownish to deep brown. On further addition of acid, the H₂S evolution increased inducing a simultaneous conversion of to by the following reaction:

This chemically formed thiomolybdate () ion basically acted as precursor for cathodic discharge [16]. This cathodic reduction reaction at the electrode surface results in the in situ formation of thin films by the following reaction:

We note here that the unreacted molybdate () ions are also in competition with ion for discharge at the cathode surface. Therefore, it is required to investigate the polarization curves of sodium molybdate and mixed electrolyte (molybdate-sulfide) individually for selection of voltage/current in order to maximize MoS₂ formation at the cathode surface.

Figure 1 shows the polarization curves of sodium molybdate, sodium sulfide, and molybdate-sulfide mixed electrolyte at pH 7 separately to understand the electrochemical behaviour. We note that the I-V curve of sodium sulfide does not have any specific feature except hydrogen evolution. Unlike sodium sulfide, both molybdate and mixed electrolyte (Na₂MoO₄ + Na₂S) possess plateau region which is an indication of mixed mode (activation as well-diffusion control) control of discharge of respective species at the cathode surface. Both molybdate and thiomolybdate ions start discharge at ~−0.283 V versus Ag/AgCl. However, it is seen that at any point of potential, the current density due to discharge of thiomolybdate ion is higher than molybdate ion. On further increase of the potential towards cathodic direction, the current density due to the discharge of thiomolybdate ions exceeds the current density produced by molybdate ions reduction. Therefore, a current density range ≥10 mA·cm⁻² was chosen to minimize MoO₂ content in MoS₂ film. Of course, the presence of excess S²⁻ ion in the electrolyte would push the reaction in the forward direction of equation 1 resulting into higher concentration of ion. Here, thin film deposition were carried out at pH 7.0 so that the electrolyte was kept stable without any precipitation of MoS₃ as would occur at further lower pH. The deposited films were black in color. EDS analysis confirmed composition of the film with S : Mo ~1.7. Figure 2(a) shows 3D surface topography of step edge of MoS₂ films on NiP substrate deposited for a duration of 3 minutes and Figure 2(b) is corresponding 2D pattern. Typical thickness obtained after 3- and 4-minute deposition time was ~400 nm and ~500 nm, respectively, as given in Table 1, and 30–50% film shrinkage was noticed upon annealing. MoS₂ films were found to peel off from the substrate beyond thickness of 500 nm due to poor adhesion. Film thickness reduction upon annealing could be due to loss of adsorbed water molecules followed by compaction owing to sintering and crystallization process.

Table 1: Dependence of MoS₂ thin film thickness on deposition time and heat treatment.

Deposition time (min.)
As-deposited film

thickness (nm)
Annealed film

thickness (nm)

3
404
223

4
511
341

Figure 1: Polarization curves of Na₂MoO₄, Na₂S, and Na₂MoO₄ + Na₂S mixed electrolytes. Inset shows enlarged view of onset of discharge potentials for individual electrolytes. Scan rate was 5 mV·s⁻¹.

(a)

(b)

Figure 2: (a) 3D surface topography of step edge of MoS₂ films on NiP substrate deposited for a duration of 3 minutes, (b) 2D pattern of line scan of Figure 2(a).

The UV-Vis absorption spectrum was measured on scraped annealed (500°C for 5 hrs) MoS₂ powder sample (Figure 3(a)) and shows the features that can be assigned to the A, B, and C excitons, characteristics of the 2H-polytype [19]. The latter two excitons B (625 nm) and C (682 nm) with a splitting of approximately 60 nm corresponds to interlayer interaction and spin-orbit splitting [20]. This is in good agreement with the literature [21]. Normally, a red shift in these two peak positions occurs in case of coaxial MoS₂ nanotubes; however, here the annealed sample seems a mixture of exfoliated MoS₂ with the appearance of shoulder A at 400 nm [20] with other nano-features as can be seen below from SEM and TEM results. The presence of Mo–S bond in the annealed sample was further ascertained from FTIR spectra as shown in Figure 3(b). The weak peak at 472 cm⁻¹ corresponds to Mo–S vibration of MoS₂ [22], and the other band at 690 cm⁻¹ match with γ(Mo–O) vibrations [23]. This indicates coexistence of sulfides and oxides in the film.

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: (a) UV-visible spectrum of annealed MoS₂ film powder. (b) FTIR spectrum of annealed MoS₂ films. Annealing condition: 450°C for 5 hrs in vacuum.

3.2. Crystal Structure and Phase Analysis

Figure 4 shows XRD pattern of as-deposited as well as annealed MoS₂ films deposited on NiP substrate. It confirms amorphous nature of as-deposited film. In order to study the crystallization process, post deposition films were annealed in argon atmosphere with a heating rate of 5°C min⁻¹, and crystal structure was monitored via in-situ XRD. At each temperature, films were hold for 20 minutes for equilibration in crystal structure. The obtained XRD peaks were indexed from ICPDF database and previous literature [13, 24–26]. It is clear from Figure 4 that with increase in temperature, the intensity of hexagonal (002) reflection increases and peak width becomes sharper giving rise to an indication of growth of crystallite sizes. Besides this, other low intensity peaks also start appearing at temperatures ≥ 450°C. The sharp appearance of (002) peak is a clear indication of structural transformation from amorphous to crystalline phases and highly texture along direction. Appearance of low intensity MoO₂ peak suggests presence of minute quantity MoO₂ phases. It supports the FTIR spectra about the presence of oxides in the film along with MoS₂. Detailed peak analysis (position and broadening) of (002) reflections of post annealed 50°C sample (represented as PA50), results into d value of 0.621 nm and grain size of 10 nm. This lattice parameter indicates approximately 97% lattice expansion compared to 2 h hexagonal structure and matches well with reported inorganic fullerene lattice parameter [13, 26].

Figure 4: XRD pattern of MoS₂ thin film at different temperatures recorded during stepwise annealing. Here “PA50” represents XRD pattern of annealed (700°C) MoS₂ film at 50°C.

3.3. Surface Morphology and Microstructural Investigations

FESEM examination of as-deposited MoS₂ films on NiP substrate results in featureless surface as shown in Figure 5(a). Upon annealing at 450°C for 5 hrs, growth of several nanotubes/nanorods, half-cut nanotubes of several micrometer in length with diameter ~10–100 nm, and nanoballs is visible on the surface (Figures 5(b) and 5(c)). We note that the growth of such nanorods/nanotubes is very similar to wishker growth. A close look into the half-cut nanotube (Figure 5(b)) reveals that such nantube surrounds multiple walls of MoS₂ sheets and defect mediated growth. On CoW substrate, MoS₂ fullerenes have grown with different shapes similar to pitta-bread type or hollow dumb-bell shape features (Figure 5(d)) [27]. Figure 5(e) shows surface morphology of annealed MoS₂ film on (450°C for 5 hrs) grown on Cu substrate. Here, the formation of cracks and film delamination associated with growth of nano- and mesotubes/rods and several small protrusions on film layer could be seen. Occurrence of such cracks and film delamination is the result of stress release or due to large difference in thermal expansion coefficient of metal and MoS₂ film.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Figure 5: (a) FESEM image of as-deposited MoS₂ films on NiP surface; (b) surface topography of MoS₂ annealed (450°C for 5 hrs) films deposited on NiP substrate showing nanotubes growth; (c) same surface as on (b) showing several nanotube or nanorods growth; (d) Growth of pitta-bread type fullerene structure on CoW surface after annealing at 450°C for 5 hrs, and (e) surface morphology of MoS₂ film on Cu substrate showing film delamination and nanotube/nanorod formation.

Figure 6(a) shows transmission electron microscope image of annealed (600°C for 2 hrs) MoS₂ film. TEM investigation of such annealed MoS₂ films revealed that it consisted of several nanofeatures like nanoballs with sizes from 5 to 10 nm and nanosheets or nanoribbons with ~10 nm width and several nanometer in lengths. It seems that formation of nanosheets from the amorphous precursor is the first step. When these nanosheets are sufficient in length, they undergo winding up assuming a hexagonal shape (as shown in Figure 6(a)) to form a nanotube, nanorod, other nanofeatures. It is evident that these sheets are multiple in layers and clear faceting towards the formation of a hexagon. Selected area diffraction (SAED) with spotty ring pattern of annealed MoS₂ film also corroborates the XRD results of well-crystalline nature of the film (inset of Figure 6(a)). Microstructural investigation of annealed MoS₂ film for longer duration (450°C for 5 hrs) reveals the formation of multiwall nanotube as shown in Figure 6(b). It supports the previous section SEM investigation results. Therefore, the microstructure of annealed MoS₂ consists of several nano-features starting from nanosheet, nanoribbon, nanoballs, nanoballs, and nanorods/nanoubes depending upon temperature, annealing duration, and substrate.

(a)

(b)

Figure 6: (a) TEM micrograph showing presence of nanoribbons, nanoballs in postannealed samples (600°C for 2 hrs) and (b) TEM image of multiwall MoS₂ nanotube (450°C for 5 hrs).

4. Conclusions

MoS₂ films containing several nano-features like nanoballs, nanorods/nanotubes, and nanoribbons were successfully synthesized by simple DC electrodeposition followed by post annealing treatment. Being a very fast deposition process, a compact MoS₂ film of thickness ~400–500 nm could be obtained within 3-4 minutes duration. X-ray diffraction confirmed the initiation of crystallization process of as-deposited amorphous precursor films at 450°C and higher temperature favors such process. UV-visible and FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of Mo–S as well as Mo–O bonds in the annealed films. FESEM investigations of annealed MoS₂ film (annealed at 450°C for 5 hrs in vacuum or in argon atmosphere) surface revealed the formation of MoS₂ nanoube/nanorod and nanoballs on Ni and Cu substrates and pitta-bread type nanofeatures on CoW substrate. The size of the nanotubes/nanorods varied from 200 nm to 1 micron on Ni and Cu substrates. TEM examinations confirmed the initiation of hexagonal nanotube formation via bending of nano-ribbons, presence of ribbons, and balls of nanometer in size. It also confirmed the presence of multiple-wall nanotubes. This study unearths that electrodeposition is a simple growth technique for synthesizing nanostructured MoS₂ films which may help in future in making catalyst and/or electrode materials for photoelectrochemical or electrochemical hydrogen production.

Acknowledgments

S. K. Ghosh thanks the European Commission for a Marie Curie Incoming International Fellowship (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF-220002-NANOCOAT) granted to him under FP-7 framework program. The authors wish to thank Dr. V. Sudarshan, Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, for his help in carrying out FTIR spectra.

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