Control over structural-dimensional characteristics of tungsten disulfide particles in aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition

Solutions of ammonium thiotungstate in dimethylformamide were used to synthesize spherical tungsten disulfide particles with average radius of 500–100 nm by the method of aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Nanoparticles with composition close to stoichiometric tungsten disulfide are formed at pyrolysis temperatures not lower than 800°C. It was found that the average particle radius linearly decreases as the reagent concentration in solution becomes lower, and the nebulizer power has no effect within the range under study on the size characteristics and structure of the particles obtained. It was demonstrated that the particles have a layered structure that is formed in all probability by S–W–S packets, which must provide high antifriction properties of the material in its use as a high-temperature solid lubricant. The results obtained indicate that the size of tungsten disulfide particles can be controlled in a wide range in the course of the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition. This may be of interest for developing a technology for creating high-temperature wear-resistant antifriction coatings.