Debundling by dilution: Observation of significant populations of individual MoSI nanowires in high concentration dispersions

In this work, we have demonstrated debundling of Molydenum–sulphur–iodine nanowires simply by diluting dispersions of nanowires in isopropanol. Using atomic force microscopy, we observe the bundle diameter distribution to decrease dramatically as a function of concentration. In addition, a significant population of individual nanowires is present at all concentrations. This population increases with decreasing concentration until one quarter of all dispersed objects are individual nanowires at a concentration of 4 × 10−3 mg/ml. The partial concentration of individual nanowires also increases with decreasing concentration but actually peaks at a concentration of ∼4 × 10−3 mg/ml. This represents an optimum concentration for finding individual nanowires.