Optimisation of processing conditions during CVD growth of 2D WS2 films from a chloride precursor

Monolayer tungsten disulphide (WS2) is a direct band gap semiconductor which holds promise for a wide range of optoelectronic applications. The large-area growth of WS2 has previously been successfully achieved using a W(CO)6 precursor, however, this is flammable and a potent source of carbon monoxide (CO) upon decomposition. To address this issue, we have developed a process for the wafer-scale growth of monolayer WS2 from a tungsten hexachloride (WCl6) precursor in a commercial cold-wall CVD reactor. In comparison to W(CO)6, WCl6 is less toxic and less reactive and so lends itself better to the large-scale CVD growth of 2D layers. We demonstrate that a post-growth H2S anneal can lead to a dramatic improvement in the optical quality of our films as confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) and Raman measurements. Optimised films exhibit PL exciton emission peaks with full width at half maximum of 51 ± 2 meV, comparable to other state-of-the-art methods. We demonstrate that our WS2 films can be readily transferred from the sapphire growth substrate to a Si/SiO2 target substrate with no detectable degradation in quality using a polystyrene support layer. Our approach represents a promising step towards the industrial-scale fabrication of p-n junctions, photodetectors and transistors based on monolayer WS2.

Al2O3/WS2 Surface Layers Produced on the Basis of Aluminum Alloys for Applications in Oil-Free Kinematic Systems

The article presents the results of an aluminum oxide layer doped with monolayer 2H tungsten disulphide (Al2O3/WS2) for applications in oil-free kinematic systems. The results concern the test carried out on the pneumatic actuator operational test stand, which is the actual pneumatic system with electromagnetic control. The cylinders of actuators are made of Ø 40 mm aluminum tube of EN-AW-6063 aluminum alloy which is used in the manufacture of commercial air cylinder actuators. The inner surfaces of the cylinder surfaces were covered with an Al2O3/WS2 oxide layer obtained by anodic oxidation in a three-component electrolyte and in the same electrolyte with the addition of tungsten disulfide 2H-WS2. The layers of Al2O3 and Al2O3/WS2 obtained on the inner surface of the pneumatic actuators were combined with a piston ring made of polytetrafluoroethylene with carbon (T5W) material and piston seals made of polyurethane (PU). The cooperation occurred in the conditions of technically dry friction. After the test was carried out, the scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis of the surface of the cylinder bearing surfaces and piston seals of the pneumatic cylinders was performed. The analysis revealed the formation of a sliding film on the cylinder surface modified with tungsten disulfide, as well as on the surface of wiper seals. Based on the SEM/EDSM tests, it was also found that the modification of the Al2O3 layer with tungsten disulfide contributed to the formation of a sliding film with the presence of WS2 lubricant, which translated into smooth cylinder operation during 180 h of actuator operation. The cylinder with the unmodified layer showed irregular operation after approximately 70 h thereof.

Effects of Tungsten Disulphide Coating on Tapered Microfiber for Relative Humidity Sensing Applications

Tungsten disulphide (WS2) is a two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenide material that can be used to improve the sensitivity of a variety of sensing applications. This study investigated the effect of WS2 coating on tapered region microfiber (MF) for relative humidity (RH) sensing applications. The flame brushing technique was used to taper the standard single-mode fiber (SMF) into three different waist diameter sizes of MF 2, 5, and 10 µm, respectively. The MFs were then coated with WS2 via a facile deposition method called the drop-casting technique. Since the MF had a strong evanescent field that allowed fast near-field interaction between the guided light and the environment, depositing WS2 onto the tapered region produced high humidity sensor sensitivity. The experiments were repeated three times to measure the average transmitted power, presenting repeatability and sensing stability. Each MF sample size was tested with varying humidity levels. Furthermore, the coated and non-coated MF performances were compared in the RH range of 45–90% RH at room temperature. It was found that the WS2 coating on 2 µm MF had a high sensitivity of 0.0861 dB/% RH with linearity over 99%. Thus, MF coated with WS2 encourages enhancement in the evanescent field effect in optical fiber humidity sensor applications.

Optimization of Tungsten Disulfide/Polypyrrole Composite as Photocatalyst in Sunlight-Asissted Photodegradation of Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution

The present study highlights the sunlight-assisted photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) using tungsten disulphide/polypyrrole (WS2/PPy) composite as a photocatalyst. WS2/PPy was prepared via oxidative polymerization using ferric chloride (FeCl3) as an oxidant. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) measurement were used to ensure the physicochemical properties of WS2/PPy. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the photocatalysts were examined by degrading methylene blue (MB) under sunlight irradiation. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of WS2/PPy was higher than the pristine PPy Several optimizations such as effect of the concentration, contact time, photocatalyst dosage and initial concentration were investigated. The results revealed that, under optimum condition of pH 3, 100 mg photocatalyst dosage, 10 ppm MB initial concentration within 180 minutes contact time, were the most effective parameters, that produced 96.15% of sunlight-assisted photodegradation in aqueous solution of MB.

Effect of epoxidation and nanoparticle addition on the rheological and tribological properties of canola oil

The paper investigates the lubricating properties of epoxidised canola oil. The epoxidation is carried out to decrease the unsaturated bonds present in canola oil. Further, metal dichalcogenide nanoparticles (molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide) are mixed in modified canola oil and their effect on rheological and tribological properties is evaluated. The tribological investigation is carried out on a pin-on-disc tribometer with aluminium alloy and steel as tribopairs. The rheological properties of nanofluids have been studied. It is observed that the modification of the canola oil improves the tribological properties of virgin canola oil. The addition of nanoparticles into the modified canola increases the viscosity of the oil with a 1 wt% concentration of nanoparticles. Further, enhancement in the tribological properties is observed with the addition of nanoparticles. A maximum of 54.6% and 30% decrease in coefficient of friction is observed with the use of tungsten disulphide and molybdenum disulphide nanoparticles, respectively.

Sensing and electrocatalytic activity of tungsten disulphide thin films fabricated via metalorganic chemical vapour deposition

The unique structural and electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and in particular tungsten disulphide (WS2) makes it interesting for a variety of applications such as electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution...