Oxidation of 2D-WS2 nanosheets for generation of 2D-WS2/WO3 heterostructure and 2D and nanospherical WO3

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2019 Dec 7;21(45):25139-25147. doi: 10.1039/c9cp01890e. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Abstract

The oxidation behaviour of tungsten disulphide (WS2) nanosheet powder with an average thickness of about 10 nm was studied in the temperature range of 25-700 °C. The samples were subjected to exposure in air in a short continuous mode as well as extended isothermal holding. It was observed that WS2 nanosheets were stable below 350 °C in air for short exposure times. A two-dimensional WS2/WO3 heterostructure evolved at 350 °C on short exposures to the oxidising atmosphere. Complete oxidation of WS2 nanosheets was observed at a temperature of about 450 °C in the continuous heating mode and at 350 °C under isothermal holding for an extended exposure time. During oxidation, WS2 nanosheets were initially transformed to 2D-WO3 nanosheets with an average thickness of about 10 nm. Significant distortion in the monoclinic structure of 2D-WO3 was observed. At higher temperatures, the WO3 nanosheets disintegrated initially to rod-shaped WO3 particles, which were subsequently transformed to thermodynamically stable spherical shaped WO3 nanoparticles.