Preparation and Spectroscopic Characterization of MoS2 and MoSe2 Nanoparticles

In this manuscript, we report an experiment for the upper division chemistry laboratory involving the synthesis and characterization of molybdenum (IV) chalcogenide nanoparticles. The reaction is a straightforward synthesis between molybdenum hexacarbonyl and sulfur or selenium. Students follow the progress of the reaction via monitoring the carbonyl stretch using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The nanoparticles are found to absorb light in the UV region of the spectrum compared with the near IR for bulk molybdenum (IV) chalcogenides. Further, the particles also exhibit a blue fluorescence when excited in the UV region. Students can easily complete the experiment in two 3‐hr laboratory periods, one focusing on the synthesis and the other on the spectroscopic characterization.