Two Alternative Routes to MS2 Nanotubes

Inorganic tubular nanostructure MS2 (M=Mo, W, Nb, Ta) were synthesized by two alternative routes. Thermal decomposition method was used for producing fullerence-like MS2 (M=Mo, W) nanotubes on Al2O3 template using ammonium sulfur respectively; NbS2, and TaS2 nanotubes were obtained successfully by reducing corresponding metal trisulfide in a stream of H2 (mixed with N2 in some cases) at elevated temperatures.Detailed experimental procedure, and the characterization of associated results, were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The result reveals that products are composed of high density of MS2 tubular nanostructures with the diameter of 100 nm and length of tens of micrometers. And no mistake, these 1-D (one-dimensional) tubular nanomaterials added quantities and varieties in the growing family of nanotubes of inorganic layered materials.