WS₂ and MoS₂ Inorganic Fullerenes—Super Shock Absorbers at Very High Pressures

Abstract

Superb antishock WS2 inorganic fullerenes (IF) can sustain shock pressures up to 25 GPa, suggesting that these IFs are probably the toughest cage molecules known. The Figure shows images of a) pre- and b) post-shock WS2 IF nanoparticles. These IFs may have great potential to withstand very high applied loads when used as solid-state lubricants.