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Synthesis and microstructural characterization of inorganic fullerene-like MoS2 and graphite-MoS2 hybrid nanoparticles

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Abstract

The structures of inorganic fullerene-like (IF) MoS2 nanoparticles produced by arc discharge in water are reported in this paper. To adjust the chemistry and structure of IF nanoparticles, 2H–MoS2, graphite and composite 2H–MoS2/graphite rods were used as electrodes in the arc synthesis. In comparison to using MoS2 as both anode and cathode, mixed electrodes (graphite and MoS2) significantly increased the discharge current. Various IF-MoS2 nanoparticles were successfully produced by the water-based arc method, and their microstructures were studied using a transmission electron microscope equipped with an x-ray energy dispersive spectrometer. The IF–MoS2 nanoparticles commonly had a solid core wrapped with a few MoS2 layers and exhibit some differences in size and geometry. The IF-MoS2 nanoparticles were typically 5–30 nm in diameter as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Tiny IF-MoS2 nanoparticles (<10 nm) along with fragments of lamellar MoS2 were produced from arc discharge in water using both graphite and MoS2 electrodes. Carbon nano-onions and hybrid nanoparticles consisting of carbon and MoS2 were synthesized by using mixed electrodes of graphite and 2H–MoS2. The hybrid nanoparticles were MoS2 cores covered by a graphite shell. Our results show that the water-based arc method provides a simple tool for producing a variety of nanoparticles including some familiar and some new hybrid structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL / MLBT), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, 45433-7750, USA

    J. J. Hu, J. H. Sanders & J. S. Zabinski

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  1. J. J. Hu
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  2. J. H. Sanders
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  3. J. S. Zabinski
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Correspondence to J. J. Hu.

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Hu, J.J., Sanders, J.H. & Zabinski, J.S. Synthesis and microstructural characterization of inorganic fullerene-like MoS2 and graphite-MoS2 hybrid nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Research 21, 1033–1040 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2006.0118

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2006.0118

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