Facile strategy for controllable synthesis of hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic properties

Tailored design of photocatalysts with complicated hollow structures is of great importance for promoting environmental remediation. In this paper, monodispersed hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres have been prepared via a facile and economical hydrothermal method with the assistance of surfactant (polyethylene-polypropylene glycol (F68)). The unusual design displays three important features: large specific surface area, strong light absorption, and rich catalytic active sites. The specific surface area of the hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres is 21.75 m²g^-1, which is higher than that of MoS₂ particles (4.05 m²g^-1) and commercial MoS₂ (2.84 m²g^-1). Meanwhile, the hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres possess strong light absorption around a broadband wavelength from 200 nm to 800 nm. Furthermore, the ordered MoS₂ nanosheets which assemble to the outer surface of the hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres display rich catalytic active sites, which are beneficial in promoting the fast transport of charge carriers during the process of photocatalytic reaction. As a result, the photodegradation activity test demonstrates that the hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity and recycling stability. The reaction rate constant of the hierarchical hollow MoS₂ microspheres for the photodegradation of RhB is 25.32 and 18.18 times faster than that of MoS₂ particles and commercial MoS₂, respectively.