Preparation and Spectroscopic Characterization of MoS₂ and MoSe₂ Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this manuscript, we report an experiment for the upper division chemistry laboratory involving the synthesis and characterization of molybdenum (IV) chalcogenide nanoparticles. The reaction is a straightforward synthesis between molybdenum hexacarbonyl and sulfur or selenium. Students follow the progress of the reaction via monitoring the carbonyl stretch using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The nanoparticles are found to absorb light in the UV region of the spectrum compared with the near IR for bulk molybdenum (IV) chalcogenides. Further, the particles also exhibit a blue fluorescence when excited in the UV region. Students can easily complete the experiment in two 3‐hr laboratory periods, one focusing on the synthesis and the other on the spectroscopic characterization.

Keywords:

• Molybdenum (IV) selenide
• molybdenum (IV) sulfide
• nanoparticles
• nanotechnology

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the National Science Foundation (CHE/NUE‐0303994), the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Armstrong Atlantic State University, and the University System of Georgia for funding. The authors would also like to thank R. R. Williams at Saginaw Valley State University for helpful discussions.

Notes

The authors were invited to contribute this paper to a special issue of the journal entitled “Undergraduate Research and Education in Spectroscopy.” This special issue was organized by Associate Editor David J. Butcher, Professor of Chemistry at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA.