Synthesis of nanocrystalline MoS2 and WS2 in a microwave plasma

This paper describes the synthesis of nanoparticulate MoS2 and WS2. These compounds are of special interest, as they form layered structures. The synthesis is performed by the reaction of the hexacarbonyls with H2S in a microwave plasma. The resulting particles are in the range of 5 to 15 nm in diameter. It is remarkable that, in contrast to other nanoparticles, these particles contain step dislocations in the {2000} planes and point defects, causing bending of the lattice planes. Additionally, particles exhibiting nested fullerene-like structures and polyhedron-shaped crystals were found. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.