Micro to nano conversion: A One-Step, environmentally friendly, solid state, bulk fabrication of WS2 and MoS2 nanoplates

A top down (micro to nano conversion) approach is presented for the fabrication of WS2 and MoS2 nanoplates employing a single-step, scalable, and environmentally friendly reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature (RAPET). The thermal (750 degrees C) solid-state reaction between micrometer-sized W or Mo with microsized S in an inert atmosphere yielded a high yield of WS2 or MoS2 nanoplates via carving phenomena. The as-prepared carved microstructures are comprised of two-dimensional WS2/MoS2 nanoplates. The systematic compositional, structural, morphological, and BET surface area analysis is presented, and a mechanistic elucidation for the fabrication of WS2/MoS2 nanoplates is provided.