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.
Rapid crystallization and equally rapid revitrification of amorphous chalcogenide films exposed to short laser pulses has been observed. A model is developed in which both the speed of crystallization and the reversibility are attributed to the large enhancement of crystallization rate under the influence of the photon flux.
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