Bulk synthesis of inorganic fullerene-like MS{sub 2} (M = Mo, W) from the respective trioxides and the reaction mechanism
- Weizmann Inst., Rehovot (Israel)
- Univ. of Oxford (United Kingdom)
Recently, milligram quantities of MoS{sub 2} fullerene-like nanotubes and negative curvature polyhedra (generically called inorganic fullerene-like material, IF), were reproducibly obtained by a phase reaction from an oxide precursor. The present work focuses on the mechanism of the synthesis of IF-MS{sub 2} (M = W, Mo). The IF material is obtained from oxide particles smaller than ca. 0.2 {mu}m, while larger oxide particles result in 2H-MS{sub 2} platelets. The key step in the reaction mechanism is the formation of a closed layer of MS{sub 2}, which isolates the nanoparticle from its surroundings and prevents its fusion into larger particles. Subsequently, the oxide core of the nanoparticle is progressively converted into a sulfide nanoparticle with an empty core (IF). Taking advantage of this process, we report here a routine for the fabrication of macroscopic quantities of a pure IF-WS{sub 2} phase with a very high yield. As anticipated, the size distribution of the IF material is determined by the size distribution of the oxide precursor. The present synthesis paves the way for a systematic study of these materials which are promising candidates for, e.g., solid lubrication. 32 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 282963
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 118, Issue 23; Other Information: PBD: 12 Jun 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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