Synthesis of WS2 and MoS2 fullerene-like nanoparticles from solid precursors

Abstract

Inorganic fullerene-like WS2 and MoS2 nanoparticles have been synthesized using exclusively solid precursors, by reaction of the corresponding metal oxide nanopowder, sulfur and a hydrogen-releasing agent (NaBH4 or LiAlH4), achieved either by conventional furnace heating up to ∼900 °C or by photothermal ablation at far higher temperatures driven by highly concentrated white light. In contrast to the established syntheses that require toxic and hazardous gases, working solely with solid precursors permits relatively safer reactor conditions conducive to industrial scale-up.