Nanoparticles synthesis of tungsten disulfide via AOT-based microemulsions

The tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoparticles (most probably inorganic fullerene (IF)) with a narrow size distribution were synthesized by a reverse micelle technique for the first time. The particle size was controlled by varying water-to-surfactant molar ratio (W0), aging time and reagent concentration. The synthesized WS2 nanoparticles were characterized by zetasizer, UV–visible spectrophotometers and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The WS2 nanoparticles with particle diameter size of 7–12 nm were obtained via 24 h aging time. The particle size was controlled by changing the aging time and molar ratio of water/surfactant. Doubling W0 increased the amount and particle size of WS2 by 22 and 26%, respectively. The effect of aging time in the range of 6–24 h was investigated and the complete disappearance of yellowish color at 24 h resulted in an optically clear solution, which was the indication of WS2 formation with 100% conversion of reactant ((NH4)2WS4) in the batch reactor.

Graphical abstractA controlled synthesis of WS2 nanoparticles (most probably inorganic fullerene (IF)) via microemulsion was applied for the first time to prepare WS2 (7–12 nm) by acidification of the water cores of the AOT reverse microemulsion.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► An innovative reverse microemulsion technique was developed for WS2 synthesis. ► WS2 nanoparticles were obtained with narrow size distribution in range of 7–12 nm. ► Operating cost of microemulsion was lower in contrast to quartz reactor method. ► WS2 morphology could be controlled to obtain highly active and selective catalysts. ► Lower size of WS2 in this study overcomes the shortcoming of quartz reactor method.