Synthesis of inorganic fullerene(MS2,M = Zr, Hf and W)phases using H2S and N2/H2 microwave-induced plasmas

Abstract

Microwave-induced plasmas (MIPs) ofH2S andN2/H2 have been used tosulfidize and reduce WO3 and MS3 (where M = Zr and Hf) phases respectively. Characterization by powder x-ray diffraction andelectron microscopy techniques shows that inorganic fullerene structures ofWS2 andnanorods/nanotubes of ZrS2 can be synthesized. In all cases the structures appear to exhibit a higher concentration ofdefects and final morphologies are reflective of the precursor used. Furthermore, forZrS2 and HfS2 phases significant post-synthesis oxidation is observed.