MoS2 fullerene-like nanoparticles and nanotubes using gas-phase reaction with MoCl5

Inorganic fullerene-like ( IF) nanoparticles of MoS2 were synthesized using gas-phase reaction starting from MoCl5 and H2S. The IF-MoS2 nanoparticles are spherical and in some cases faceted with diameters in general ranging between 20 and 80 nm. The IF-MoS2 nanoparticles have large hollow cores, filled in some cases with amorphous material. Various parameters have been investigated to understand the growth and formation of the IF-MoS2 nanoparticles. The parameters that have been studied include flow rates of the various carrier gases, temperature at which the reaction was carried out, time of the reaction and heating of the precursor material. The best set of conditions wherein maximum yields of the IF-MoS2 nanoparticles are obtained have been identified. Additionally, annealing the as-obtained samples or heating them in a mixture of H-2 along with H2S improves the crystallinity and reduces the amorphous material filling in the core. Apart from the fullerene-like nanoparticles under certain experimental conditions nanotubes of MoS2 have also been obtained nonetheless in small yields.