Nanotubes of the disulfides of groups 4 and 5 metals

Abstract

Nanotubes of HfS2, ZrS2, NbS2, and TaS2 have been obtained by the reduction of the corresponding metal trisulfides in a stream of H2 (mixed with an inert gas in some cases) at elevated temperatures. The nanotubes have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and other techniques. These disulfide nanotubes make an important addition to the growing family of nanotubes of inorganic layered materials.