Nanostructured molybdenum dichalcogenides: a review

Abstract

With increasing interest in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a great amount of literature has come into existence covering a broad range of preparation methods as well as their applications in diverse fields. Often dichalcogenides include sulphides, selenides and tellurides; however, they differ in various ways depending upon their crystal structures, methods of synthesis and application requirements. But each TMD is exceptional from the modern technological viewpoint. This review article focuses in detail on the synthesis, properties and applications of molybdenum dichalcogenides [MoX₂ (X = S, Se, Te)] because of the desired expectations of the scientific community for specific types of chalcogenides. The majority of researchers have focused their research on nanocrystalline molybdenum disulphide; however, the present article also discusses selenides and tellurides as they also attract significant interest due to vast new avenues in advanced applications. Through this comprehensive review, we aim to provide a complete description of molybdenum dichalcogenides in one place which will serve as an important source of information for the large number of researchers in the field.