Effect of suitable surfactant on the large scale preparation of WO3 nanorods for the synthesis of WS2 nanoparticles

WO3 nanorods with average dimension about 23 x 145 nm have been synthesized in gram quantities by a hydrothermal method. Effect of various surfactants on the WO3 nanorods morphology was investigated. The results demonstrated that the application of suitable surfactant (such as Triton X-100), leads to obtain obviously individual morphology for WO3 nanorods (with average dimensions about 15 x 100 nm) and decrease the reaction time from 7 days to 3 days. With a very suitable and safe method, the as-prepared WO3 nanorods, will turn to WS2 nanoparticles by mixing them with Sulfur (S) powder, under reducing H2 atmosphere and high temperature. Therefore, application of the harmful and poisonous H2S gas was eliminated.