Photoelectrochemical studies with inorganic cage structures of metal dichalcogenides

Inorganic fullerene-like (IF) and nanotube nanoparticles of WS2 and SnS2 with an oxide core have been prepared by the reaction of the respective oxide nanoparticles with H2S in a reducing atmosphere. Ethanolic suspensions of these nanoparticles were prepared and they were subsequently deposited electrophoretically onto conductive substrates. To study their photoelectrochemical properties, the nanoparticles were immersed in a selenosulphate electrolyte and illuminated. The spectral response of the photoelectrodes was measured and the fundamental optical transitions were determined. The mechanism of charge excitation, conduction and transfer is discussed in view of the experimental results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.