Low pressure, low temperature synthesis of Mo6S3I6 molecular wires suitable for upscaling

The possibility of growth of the Mo6S3I6 (MoSI) molecular wires under conditions which can be used for large-scale synthesis are investigated. We demonstrate optimum growth of long and thin MoSI wire bundles with Mo metal starting material in nanostructured form at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 850 °C. Other forms of Mo starting material do not yield successful nanowire growth under similar conditions.

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► We synthesize the Mo6S3I6 molecular wires under low pressure and low temperature.
► We demonstrate optimum growth of long and thin MoSI wire bundles.
► The roughness of the surface leads to enhance the density of molecular wires.
► Long nanowires are grown by patterned Mo foil and mixture of Mo, S, and I powders.