Synthesis and characterization of inorganic fullerene-like WSe₂ material

Abstract

Lately M0S₂ and WS₂ fullerene-like nanoparticles, generically termed inorganic fullerene-like (IF) materials, were reproducibly obtained by gas phase^4,6 and solid state⁶ reactions and the growth mechanism of such structures was elucidated⁶. the present work deals with the synthesis of IF-WSe₂ from tungsten oxide and selenium vapors. Thermodynamic calculations of the sulfidization and selenization processes are provided, and indicate salient differences between the two processes. Notwithstanding, the growth model of IF-WSe₂ is similar to that of sulfide fullerene-like material. the IF-WSe₂ was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy.