A novel way of the synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) MoS₂ cauliflowers using allicin

Three-dimensional (3D) MoS₂ have been successfully synthesized for the first time through a simple and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method using allicin as the sulfur source. The difference in polarity between molybdate salt and allicin results in a two-phase system reaction was considered to contribute to the morphology of the cauliflower-like MoS₂ with very thin multi-layered petals. By using the commercial high purity allicin, high purity of MoS₂ could be successfully synthesized, while the formation of MoS₂ was accompanied with molybdenum oxide when using garlic extract with allicin content. However, the use of garlic extract can generate smaller size of the cauliflowers probably due the presence of other metabolites in the extract which contributed as the capping agents.