New molecular routes for synthesizing titanium disulfide

Titanium isopropoxide was reacted with H2S to form amorphous alkoxy-sulfide precursors. Gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy indicate that a thiolysis-condensation mechanism is responsible for the formation of the precursors. The alkoxide was also reacted with organic sulfidizing agents, such as dimethyldisulfide and hexamethyldisilthiane. The precursors are all amorphous and are comprised of spherical particles. On heat treatment in H2S, the spherical particles transform to the crystalline sulfide having unique morphologies and exhibiting random as well as preferred growth of sulfide platelets.