IF-WS2 nanoparticles size design and synthesis via chemical reduction

An innovative synthesis of inorganic fullerene-like disulfide tungsten (IF-WS2) nanoparticles was developed using a chemical reduction reaction in a horizontal quartz reactor. In this process, first tungsten trisulfide (WS3) was formed via a chemical reaction of tetra thiotungstate ammonium ((NH4)2WS4), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and hydrochloric acid (HCl) at ambient temperature and pressure. Subsequently, WS3 was reacted with hydrogen (H2) at high temperature (1173–1373 K) in a quartz tube. The produced WS2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characterization results indicated that the high-purity (100%) IF-WS2 nanoparticles were produced. Moreover, addition of surfactant (PEG) and higher operating temperature (1173–1373 K) decreased the particles agglomeration, and consequently led to the reduction of average diameter of WS2 particles in the range of 50–78 nm. The developed method is simple, environmentally compatible, and cost-effective in contrast to the conventional techniques.