Study of bulk sintered Molybdenite (MoS₂) crystal quality (structural and doping level analyses)

Making Bulk Molybdenite (MoS₂) crystal is a challenging task due to high melting point (~ 2500 K) of this covalent solid. One method to reach such a high temperature would be using Plasma Spark sintering technique to fabricate bulk samples at high pressure and vacuum level. The initial powder of MoS₂ sintered within graphite holder while being pressed. One could control crystallization process through setting high current flow through the cell. The synthesized bulk sample structurally analyzed through common X-ray diffractometer (Cu K_α-1.54 A) as well as brilliant synchrotron based X-ray source (1.24 A). Our analyses confirm strain developed at microstructure level during the sintering process. Signatures of impurity species observed within diffraction patterns, which were obtained using synchrotron based X-ray source. Free charge carrier density due to unintentional doping (Fe, Cu) turns to be at high level (~ 10¹⁷ cm^-3). We plan to present our findings at coming APS March meeting.