Molybdenum disulfide nanotubules were prepared by thermal decomposition of ammonium thiomolybdate ((NH(4))(2)MoS(4)) precursors on anodized aluminum oxide template. Large quantities of hollow MoS(2) nanotubules with the bamboo-like structure were obtained. The morphology and structures of MoS(2) tubules were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron diffraction and optical absorption spectroscopy. MoS(2) nanotubules completely reflected the three-dimensional structure of nanopores in template. The properties of Mo-S chemical bonds in lattice structure and the wetting state between porous surface and precursor have a great effect on the formation of sections in nanotubules, the ridges in the nanopores also play a very special role of this formation. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.