(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Molybdenum Disulfide

(FEBRUARY-2026)

Molybdenum Disulfide

Scientists recently developed an electronic system using molybdenum disulphide only a few atoms thick; high-energy particles pass through it without causing damage.

About Molybdenum Disulfide:

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an inorganic compound made up of sulfur and molybdenum.
It exists in nature in the mineral molybdenite.
In its bulk form, it appears as a dark, shiny solid.
It belongs to a class of materials called 'transition metal dichalcogenides' (TMDCs).
Materials in this class have the chemical formula MX₂, where M is a transition metal atom (groups 4-12 in the periodic table) and X is a chalcogen (group 16).
Its crystals have a hexagonal layered structure that is similar to graphite.
MoS2 has a high melting point.
Because of its layered structure, hexagonal MoS2, like graphite, is an excellent solid lubricant.
It can be used as surface coatings on machine parts (e.g., in the aerospace industry), in two-stroke engines (the type used for motorcycles), and in gun barrels (to reduce friction between the bullet and the barrel).
Its stability makes it useful in high-temperature applications in which oils and greases are not practical.
MoS2 is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion, making it an effective lubricant for high-humidity and saltwater environments.