Surface Defects as a Tool to Solubilize and Functionalize WS2 Nanotubes

Abstract

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides contain a number of crystal defects that significantly change their properties and are beneficial or detrimental for a specific application. We have prepared defect‐rich multiwalled WS2 nanotubes by reductive sulfidization of W18O49 nanowires that were obtained solvothermally from tungsten chloride in different alcohols. The synthesis of the W18O49 nanowires was monitored, and their morphological characteristics (e.g., length, rigidity, and aspect ratio) are described in detail. The effect of the morphology of the nanowires on the synthesis of WS2 nanotubes was investigated in order to obtain WS2 nanotubes that are highly solvent‐dispersible. Dispersions of the WS2 nanotubes in organic solvents are very stable for several days. The nanotubes were easily functionalized with noble metal, metal oxide, and Janus‐type metal@metal oxide nanoparticles. The synthesis of nanowires and nanotubes and the immobilization of the nanoparticles were demonstrated by TEM, high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM) combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), electron diffraction (ED), XRD, and Raman spectroscopy.