"ONE POT" SYNTHESIS OF 2D, 1D, AND 0D NANO CRYSTALS OF TUNGSTEN AND MOLYBDENUM CHALCOGENIDES (WS2, MOS2) FUNCTIONALIZED WITH LONG CHAIN AMINE AND/OR CARBOXYLIC ACID AND/OR THIOL

Abstract

The present invention describes a new synthetic strategy that permits to produce 2D 1D, e OD hybrid organic-inorganic nanocrystals of tungsten/molybdenum chalcogenides. The innovative chemical approach is based on the thermal decomposition of a molecular precursor containing both metal and sulphur, in a mixture of long chain amines and/or fatty acids and/or long chain thiols. By the control of reaction conditions is possible to address the synthesis can be driven towards the formation of nanosystems with different morphologies such as sheets, particles, rods, tubes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns 2D,1D, e 0D nano crystals of tungsten and/or molybdenum chalcogenides and a one-pot chemical synthesis for their manufacture. The chalgogenides may be functionalized with long chain amines and/or long chain carboxylic acids and/or long chain thiols in the form of fluid suspension or solid paste and may find use for different applications such as lubricant additives, catalysts, cathodes in lithium non-aqueous batteries, potential electronic device. The nanocrystals obtained are made by one or few layers of crystalline metal chalcogenides completely covered by an organic coating that stabilizes the suspension, avoids aggregation and oxidation phenomena and can be easily functionalized with other molecules or nanosystems to introduce new properties to the hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2D nanosheet crystals such as graphene and transition-metal chalcogenides are systems having a nanoscale dimension only in the c axis. They have been emerging as important new materials thanks to their unique properties and potential applications in different fields ranging from electronics to energy, to catalysis. Recently, the interest for 2D atomic crystals of MoS₂-like materials is increased thanks to the strong photoluminescence properties arising from their monolayer form that can open new opportunities for nanophotonic applications.(Emerging Photoluminescence in Monolayer MoS₂, Andrea Splendiani, Liang Sun, Yuanbo Zhang, Tianshu Li,

Jonghwan Kim, Chi-Yung Chim, Giulia Galli, Feng Wang Nano Letters 2010 10 (4), 1271-1275)(Anomalous Lattice Vibrations of Single- and Few-Layer MoS₂, Changgu Lee, Hugen Yan, Louis E. Brus, Tony F. Heinz, James Hone, Sunmin Ryu, ACS Nano Article ASAP) Synthetic routes for side confined 2D crystals of MoS₂ and W S₂ are not simple because these systems are unstable and tend to scroll up into closed structures such as quasi-0D onions or 1D tubes (Recent Progress in the Study of Inorganic Nanotubes and Fullerene-Like Structures, R. Tenne and G. Seifert, Annu. Rev. Mater. Res. 2009. 39:387-413).

The production of exfoliated sheets of MoS₂ and WS₂ is generally performed by a restacking process consisting in sonication of microsized MoS₂ or WS₂ soaked in an n-butyl lithium solution of hexane under nitrogen atmosphere. The final restacked MoS₂ product is obtained after some days, since the method requires a series of several steps. MoS₂ is, in fact, stirred in the presence of butyl-lithium for at least 48 h. The obtained LixMoS₂ is then washed time after time in organic solvent, centrifuged and immersed in water to promote the exfoliation. Strictly control of pH, filtration and drying process under vacuum is necessary to obtain the restacked product. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,590, to Morris et al.).

The intercalation chemistry of molybdenum disulfide, synthesis, structure and principal properties of the matrix, as well as the principal applications of MoS₂ and MoS₂-based intercalation compounds has been reviewed by Benavente et al. (E. Benavente, M. A. Santa Ana, F. Mendizalpal, G. Gonzalez Intercalation chemistry of molybdenum disulfide Coordination Chemistry Reviews 224 (2002) 87-109)

Single molecular layers of MoS₂ can be also obtained by hydrothermal processes. Generally, a distilled water solution of [(NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄•4H₂O], elemental sulfur, and hydrazine is put in a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave and maintained at 150-180° C. for 48 h, and then were cooled to room temperature. The resulting powder, filtered and washed with distilled water, dilute hydrochloric acid and ethanol, is dried in a vacuum at 40° C. for at least 3 h. (Y. Peng, Z. Meng, C. Zhong, J. Lu, W. Yu, Y. Jia, Y. Qian, Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Single-Molecular-Layer MoS₂ and MoSe₂ Chemistry Letters 2001, 772-773)

Recently, the synthesis of 2D WS₂ nanosheets crystals using tungsten oxide nanorods as metal precursor was proposed. The reaction mixture was first heated at 100° C. for 1 h in vacuum to remove impurities such as water, and then was heated to 250° C. The sulfidation reaction was initiated by injecting carbon disulfide in the reaction mixture of WO₃ nanorods and hexadecylamine under nitrogen atmosphere, and the resulting solution was heated to 330° C. (Jung-wook Seo, Young-wook Jun, Seung-won Park, Hyunsoo Nah, Taeho Moon, Byungwoo Park, Prof., Jin-Gyu Kim, Youn Joong Kim, Dr., Jinwoo Cheon, Prof. Two-Dimensional Nanosheet Crystals Angew. Chem. Vol.119, 46 Pages: 8984-8987, 2007)

WS₂ nanosheets were also obtained by a mechanical activation technique, in which a mixture of WO₃ and S was ball-milled and then annealed at 600° C. for 2 h in Ar atmosphere. The temperature plays a critical role in the formation of WS₂ nanosheets, and the sulfidization reaction can only be completed at high temperature (600-700° C.). (Z. Wua, D. Wang, X. Zana and A. Suna, Synthesis of WS₂ nanosheets by a novel mechanical activation method Materials Letters, 64, 15, 856-858, 2010) Zhang et al. proposed the synthesis of single-molecular layered MoS₂ by a solvothermal method using hexadecylamine and sodium oleate as surfactants, and the use of two different chemicals to obtain the chalcogenides, in particular [(NH₄)₂Mo₇O₂₄·7H₂O] as precursor of molybdenum and thiourea as external source of sulfur. The synthesis requires the presence of a solvent (ethylene glycol) and the treatment of the mixture in a Teflon lined autoclave for 24 h at 180° C.(X. Zhang et al. “Green synthesis of metal sulphide nanocrystals trough a general composite-surfactant aided solvothermal process”, Journal of crystal growth, 311, 2009, 3775-3780.)

Todate it is widely accepted the importance of nanometric 1D (tubes, wires, rods) and 0D (nanoparticles, quantum dots) structures that can be obtained with a controlled morphology by changing the experimental conditions of reaction. In particular, inorganic nano particles and nano-tubes are ideal candidates for many applications. The synthesis of inorganic fullerene-like nano particles and nanotubes are the subject of several patents and numerous publications.

They are usually produced by reacting at a very high temperature (700-900° C.) tungsten or molybdenum oxide powders in a reducing atmosphere (H₂/H₂S) for several hours. (Tenne, R., Hodes, G., Feldman, Y,. Homyonfer, M., Margulis, L., Bulk synthesis of inorganic fullerene-like structures of metal chalcogenides, WO/1997/044278), (W. Tremel, H. Annal-Therese, Method of producing inorganic fullerene-type nanostructures of metal disulfides, nanostructures produced thereby and use thereof) PCT Int. Appl. 2009, 17 pp., WO 2009152999A2, 20091223 CAN 152:89000,AN 2009: 1598651, (S., Kumar, T. Nann, Shape control of II-VI semiconductor nanomaterials Small, 2, 316-329, 2006)

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The objective of this invention is the “one-pot” synthesis of 2D, 1D, 0D nano crystals of molybdenum and tungsten chalcogenides by a novel wet chemistry approach, that can be easily scaled up for industrial production, and permit to address the nanocrystals morphology by the control of reaction parameters. The product, obtained in mild conditions of temperature and at atmospheric pressure, can be directly dispersed in oil, grease or organic solvent without further modification thanks to the functional coating of long chain molecules directly introduced during the synthesis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, a thiosalt of molybdenum or tungsten, is mixed under inert atmosphere with a dispersant such as a long chain amine or a mixture of long chain amine and, or quaternary ammonium salts and, or fatty acids and/or thiols in a reactor equipped with at least a temperature programmer/controller, a heating and cooling system, a cooling fluid, a mechanical or magnetic stirrer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Scheme of reactor for the synthesis of 2D,1D,0D nano crystals of metal chalcogenides

• • 1)Temperature controller; 2) Thermocouple 3) Heating mantle, 4) condenser 5) Spherical Reaction Vessel (50 ml-50 L) 6) reaction Vessel Lid, 5-Neck, 7) Adapter for thermocouple 8) Clamp for Reaction Flange and Lid 9) Mechanic stirrer head 10) Stirrer Bearing 11) Stirring Shaft 12) Trap 13) Valve to N₂ flow or vacuum

FIG. 2. TEM image of 2D nano crystals of MoS₂@oleylamine

FIG. 3. TEM image of 2D nano crystals of WS₂@ oleylamine

FIG. 4. FE-SEM image and corresponding EDX maps of MoS₂@oleylamine 0D crystals

FIG. 5. TEM image of 1D nano crystals of WS₂@ oleylamine

In particular the used amine shows general formula RNH₂ o R₂NH, in which R is an C_8-20 alkyl group, quaternary ammonium salts show general formula R₃NH₄⁺, where R represents a C_8-20 alkyl group, fatty acids of general formula RCOOH, where R is an alkyl group, thiols general formula RSH, where R is C_8-20 an alkyl group. Preferably said amines of general formula RN H₂, are chosen in the class formed by oleylamine, octyl amine, octadecylamine, hexadecyl amine, dodecyl amine, tetradecyl amine, and their mixtures. Preferably, said general formula RCOOH fatty acids are selected in the class consisting of oleic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, undecanoic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, their salts and mixtures. Preferably, said thiol of general formula RSH is selected in the class consisting of dodecanthiol, octanthiol, or thiols with two functional groups such as thioalchols or dithiols. The mixing of the thiotungstate or thiomolybdate with one or more dispersant compounds X is carried out in such a way that a ratio 1 mmole of thiotungstate or a thiomolybdate to 1-50 ml of X, said compound X, is set.

The precursor decomposition occurs in the temperature range of 50-400° C. and results in the formation of:

• • 2D nanocrystals. The reaction mixture at the beginning is maintained under mild agitation at a temperature between 50 and 120° C. for 10-60 min; then it is heated to 250-400° C. in order to thermally decompose the precursor under mild stirring. The product remains dispersed in all non-polar organic solvents for a long time
  • 1D nanocrystals of WS₂@X and/or MoS₂@X. Thermal decomposition is achieved by vigorous mechanical stirring, and the initial ratio between the compound X and the thiomolybdate and/or thiotungstate ranges from 80 to 180 ml (density of 0.6 and 1.2 g/ml) per 0.1 mol of salt and the decomposition is carried out in the temperature range 250-400° C.,
  • 0D nanocrystals. Thermal decomposition under vacuum occurs from 250 to 400° C., after removing the excess of dispersant X. The latter is easily removed by precipitating with ethanol and following centrifugation, resulting in the formation of a black greasy paste.

The international nomenclature “2D, 1D, and 0D morphology” has been used in the description of the present invention. Specifically, 2D morphology refers to nanosheets (two non nanometric dimension), 1D morphology refers to nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes (one non nanometric dimensions), 0D morphology refers to nanospheres (no non nanometric dimensions). Moreover, @X indicates the molecule or the molecules forming the organic coating of the nanocrystal in the nomenclature WS₂@X or MoS₂@X.

Advantages of the Invention

• • It's not required the use of danger and toxic gas such as H₂5 of H₂
  • It's not required the use of toxic solvents
  • The reaction is carried out under inert atmosphere
  • Low reaction time
  • Low reaction temperature (max 400° C.)
  • High yield of conversion
  • High purity of product
  • Stable suspension in non-polar organic solvent
  • Easy and effective dispersability in lubricant base oils matrix without the addition of dispersant agents
  • A diluted dispersion of product can be used to prepare nanocoating of WS₂ or MoS₂ by self assembly technique on metal substrates.
  • Easy scaling up of the apparatus for the production of large quantities of nanocrystals 2D, 1D, 0D of Mo/W chalcogenides

Further objects of the invention are the use of tungsten and molybdenum chalcogenides nanocrystals according to the present invention

• • to coat metallic surfaces of Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, steel by dipping a metallic substrate in an apolar organic solvent dispersion of nanosheets through self-assembly techniques,
  • in the formulation of lubricant oils to reduce the friction coefficient and wear without the use of dispersant agent to stabilize the oil formulation
  • in the formulation of lubricant greases to reduce the friction coefficient and wear without the use of dispersant agents to stabilize the grease formulation

Example 1

Synthesis of WS₂ @X (X=Oleylamine) 2D Nanocrystals

4 mmol (1,4493 g) of (NH₄)₂WS₄ was dispersed under inert atmosphere and magnetic stirring in 40 ml of oleylamine at 110° C. for 30 min. The temperature was increased at 365° C. and maintained at this value for 90 min. Then the system was cooled to room temperature. The product was a black dense oil. The excess of dispersant was removed by precipitation with ethanol and by centrifuge to obtain a paste. The sample was analyzed by XRD and TEM and the results confirmed the formation of WS₂@X nanosheets crystals.

Example 2

Synthesis of 1D and 2D Crystals of WS₂@X (X=Oleylamine, Oleic Acid)

1 mmol of (NH₄)₄WS₄ were dispersed in 5 ml of oleic acid and 3.5 ml of oleylamine under inert atmosphere and magnetic stirring. The system was rapidly heated (10° C./min heating rate) to 365° C. After 10 min at this temperature the reactor was cooled down to room temperature. A portion of this dispersion was washed several times in ethanol, centrifuged and dispersed in decane. The TEM showed the formation of nanosheets and some nanorods.

Example 3

Synthesis of 1D Nanocrystals of WS₂@X (X=Oleylamine)

0.07 mol di (NH₄)₄WS₄ were dispersed in 150 ml of oleylamine under inert atmosphere and mechanical stirring. The system was rapidly heated to 365° C. (20° C./min heating rate) and manitained at this temperature for 30 min. The system was cooled down to room temperature. A portion of this paste was washed several time in ethanol, centrifuged and dispersed in decane. The TEM images showed the formation of 1D nano crystals and XRD confirmed the formation of WS₂ phase.

Example 4

Synthesis of 2D MoS₂@X Nanocrystals (X=Oleylamine)

2 mmol of (NH₄)₂MoS₄, were dispersed under inert atmosphere in 80 ml of oleylamine for 15 min at 100° C. The temperature was then increased to 365° C. and maintained at this value for 30 minutes. Then the system was cooled down to room temperature. The product is a black oil. A portion of this dispersion was washed several times in ethanol, centrifuged and dispersed in hexane. TEM and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of MoS₂ 2D nano crystals.

Example 5

Synthesis of 2D MoS₂@X Nanocrystals (X=Oleylamine, Oleic Acid)

2.4 mmol of (NH₄)₂MoS₄ were dispersed under inert atmosphere in 3.5 ml of oleylamine and 5 ml of oleic acid for 30 min at 70° C. The temperature was then increased to 350° C. and maintained at this value for 30 minutes. Then the system was cooled down to room temperature. The product was a black oil. A portion of this dispersion was washed several times in ethanol, centrifuged and dispersed in hexane. TEM and XRD confirmed the formation of MoS₂ nanosheets crystals.

Example 6

Synthesis of 0D MoS₂@X (X=Oleylamine) Micro and Nano Crystals

10 mmol of (NH₄)₂MoS₄were dispersed in 100 ml of distilled H₂O and added to 10 ml of oleylamine salified with HCl under stirring for 15 min at 50° C. The product, collected after centrifugation, was transferred to a flask and dried under vacuum (15 mm Hg) for 15 min a 50° C. The flask was heated to 360° C. and maintained under vacuum at this temperature for 90 min. The product is a black powder. The FE-SEM and EDX analysis showed the formation of nano and micro spheres of MoS₂

Example 7

Synthesis of MoS₂@X Micro Tubes by Annealing of MoS₂@X Nanosheets (X=Oleylamine)

0.3 g of WS₂@X (X=oleylamine) nanosheets synthetized in the example no 4 were annealed at 800° C. in N₂ flow for 60 min. The FE-SEM analysis showed micrometric tubes.

Example 8

Synthesis of 2D WS₂@X Nanocrystals (X=Oleylamine) in Lubricant Base Oil

10 mmol (NH₄)₂WS₄ were dispersed in 10 ml of oleylamine and 20 ml of lubricant oil (synthetic, mineral or semi-synthetic) and stirred under inert atmosphere at 100° C. for 30 min. Then the temperature was increased to 320° C. for 30 min. The reactor was cooled down to room temperature and the product was washed with ethanol and centrifuged. Both XRD and TEM analysis showed the formation of WS₂@X (X=oleylamine) nanosheet crystals.

Claims

1. Process for the “one-pot” synthesis of tungsten and molybdenum chalcogenides nanocrystals with 2D, 1D, and 0D morphologies including the following operations: a) mixing a thiotungstate or a thiomolybdate with one or more dispersant compounds X, in the ratio of 1 mmole of thiotungstate or thiomolybdate to 1-50 ml of X, said compound X being selected from the group consisting of: i) amines of general formula RNH2 or R2NH, in which R is a C8-20 alkyl group,ii) quaternary ammonium salts of general formula R3NH4+, where R represents a C8-20 alkyl group, andiii) fatty acids of general formula RCOOH, where R is an alkyl group, thiols general formula RSH, where R is a C8-20 alkyl group,thereby obtaining a precursor of thiotungstate@X or thiomolybdate@X formula;b) thermally decomposing said precursor at temperatures of 50-400° C;c) adding a solvent to the mixture in order to remove the compound X in excess; andd) obtaining nanocrystals of tungsten and molybdenum chalcogenides with 1D, 2D and 0D morphologies.

2. Process according to claim 1, wherein said amines of general formula RNH2 are selected from the group consisting of oleylamine, octylamine, octadecylamine, hexadecyl amine, dodecylamine, tetradecylamine, and their mixtures.

3. Process according to claim 1, wherein said fatty acids of general formula RCOOH are selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, undecanoic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, their salts, and mixtures.

4. Process according to claim 1, wherein said thiols of general formula RSH are selected from the group consisting of dodecanthiol, octanthiol, and thiols with two functional groups, such as thioalchols or dithiols.

5. Process according to claim 1, in which the thiotungstate or thiomolybdate counterion may be inorganic or organic such as alkali ions, ammonium or protonated amines such for examples sodium thiotungstate, ammonium or amino thiotungstate, sodium thiomolybdate, ammonium or aminothiomolybdate.

6. Process according to claim 1 for the synthesis of 1D nanocrystals of WS2@X and MoS2@X, in which the thermal decomposition of the precursor is obtained by vigorous mechanical agitation and the initial ratio between these compounds X and thiomolybdate or thiotungstate is between 80-280 ml (density d=0.6 and 1.2 g/ml) per 0.1 mol of salt and the decomposition is carried out at a temperature of 250-400° C., preferably 350 to 380° C., more preferably at 360-370° C.

7. 1D nanocrystals of WS2@X and/or MoS2@X obtainable from the process as claimed in claim 6.

8. 1D nanocrystal s of WS2@oleylamine and/or MoS2@amine according to claim 7.

9. Process according to claim 1 for the synthesis of 0D nano- and micro-crystals of WS2@X and/or MoS2@X, where the thermal decomposition of the precursor is carried out at temperatures between 250-400° C. under vacuum for a period between 30 minutes and 10 hours after removal of dispersant in excess.

10. 0D nano- and micro-crystals of WS2@X and or MoS2@X obtainable from the process as claimed in claim 9.

11. 0D nano- and micro-crystals of WS2@oleylamine and/or MoS2@amine according to claim 10.

12. Process according to claim 1 for the synthesis of 2D nanocrystals of WS2@X and/or MoS2@X, where the initial ratio between the X compounds and thiomolybdate or thiotungstate is in the range of 1-50 ml (density d=0.6 and 1.2 g/ml) per mmol of salt comprising: a) heating under stirring at temperatures between 50 and 120° C. to disperse said thiomolybdate or thiotungstate in said compound X for a period of time between 10-60 minutes andb) decomposition at temperatures between 250-400° C. for a period of between 10-100 minutes under gentle magnetic or mechanical stirring.

13. 2D nanocrystals of WS2@X and or MoS2@X obtainable from the process as claimed in claim 12.

14. 2D nanocrystals of WS2@oleylamine and/or MoS2@oleylamine according to claim 13.

15. Process according to claim 12 for the production of 1D nano-tubular structures wherein the 2D nanocrystals obtained are heated under inert atmosphere at temperatures between 700-1000° C. for times ranging between 30-120 minutes.

16. 1D nano-tubular structures obtainable from the process as claimed in claim 15.

17. Use of tungsten and molybdenum chalcogenides nanocrystals with 2D, 1D, and 0D morphologies obtained from claim 7 to coat metallic surfaces of Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, steel by dipping of metallic substrate in an apolar organic solvent dispersion of nanosheets through self-assembly techniques.

18. Use of tungsten and molybdenum chalcogenides nanocrystals with 2D, 1D, and 0D morphologies obtained from claim 7 in the composition of lubricant oils to reduce the friction coefficient without the use of dispersant agent to stabilize the oil formulation.

19. Use of tungsten and molybdenum chalcogenides nanocrystals with 2D, 1D, and 0D morphologies obtained from claim 7 to obtain a lubricant grease with organic—inorganic hybrid nano chalcogenides additives to reduce the friction coefficient and wear without the use of dispersant agents to stabilize the grease formulation.