Molybdenum disulfide in the poorly crystalline "rag" structure

Molybdenum disulfide has been prepared in an unusual poorly crystalline form, termed the "rag" structure, consisting of several stacked but highly folded and disordered S-Mo-S layers. This previously unknown structure demonstrates the flexible and macromolecular nature of the layered transition metal dichalcogenides. The determination of this structure provides a basis for understanding its highly broadened x-ray diffraction pattern and relatively low surface area, and is a starting point for optimizing the catalytic and surface properties of molybdenum disulfide.