Synthesis of small-sized rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles

Rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles with average size 5.5 nm were synthesized. Characterizations by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrum, and X-ray powder diffraction verified the formation of ReS2 rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles. The colloidal nanoparticles had good stability and they could be stored stably for 1 week in water. Surface modification by organic molecules improved the stability of the rhenium sulfide nanoparticles. The small-sized rhenium sulfide nanoparticles may be useful for their promising applications in tracing diagnosis and therapy of tumor diseases.

Graphical abstractRadioactive rhenium has potential applications in the diagnosis and therapy of tumor disease. Rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles with average diameter 5.5 nm were synthesized in glycol solvent by using a stable isotope of rhenium at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide