Molybdenum disulfide

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a layered inorganic compound whose sheets of molybdenum and sulfur atoms slide readily over one another, making it a solid lubricant and a widely studied two-dimensional material.

Transition-metal dichalcogenide: A layered compound containing a transition metal and a chalcogen, commonly arranged in sheets with formula MX₂. MoS₂ is a prominent member of this family, whose members share related structures and tunable properties.
Solid lubrication: Reduction of friction and wear by a solid film or material rather than a liquid lubricant. MoS₂'s sheets shear readily, allowing it to lubricate where oils are unsuitable.
Spacecraft lubrication: Lubrication of spacecraft mechanisms in vacuum and extreme temperature conditions. MoS₂ films lubricate moving components where conventional liquid lubricants evaporate or degrade.
Graphite: A crystalline form of carbon made of sheets of hexagonally arranged atoms. Like MoS₂, graphite lubricates through layered structures, but its performance differs in humid and vacuum environments.
Molybdenite: The naturally occurring mineral form of molybdenum disulfide. Molybdenite is the principal ore of molybdenum and supplied early MoS₂ lubricant material.
Van der Waals crystal: A solid whose layers or molecular units are held together largely by van der Waals forces. Weak attraction between MoS₂ sheets lets them shear while strong bonding preserves each sheet.
Friction: Resistance to relative motion between surfaces in contact. MoS₂ reduces interfacial shear and can lower friction under conditions that defeat liquid oils.
Hydrodesulfurization catalyst: A catalyst used to remove sulfur from petroleum feedstocks with hydrogen. Industrial catalysts commonly use MoS₂-like active phases to refine sulfur-rich fuels.
Tungsten disulfide: A layered transition-metal dichalcogenide with chemical formula WS₂. WS₂ is a close structural and lubricant analogue, enabling comparisons of performance and electronic properties.
Molybdenum: A chemical element with symbol Mo and atomic number 42. Molybdenum forms the metal sublattice in MoS₂ and gives the compound its name.

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