Mo_6S_(4.5)I_(4.5) Nanowires: Dispersion Studies and Electron Microscopy Characterization of the bundles

摘要

The processing of most one-dimensional nano-materials such as carbon-nanotubes is hampered by the fact that they are insoluble. Here we show how a significant portion (≈12wt%) of the as-produced Mo_6S_(4.5)I_(4.5) nanowires is stably dispersed in isopropanol as small diameter nanowire bundles. Sedimentation studies, performed combining experiments and theory, show the presence of three phases in the raw material: impurity material, insoluble and soluble nanowire bundles. A purification procedure is also discussed. The three phases has been characterized by UV-Vis-IR spectroscopy and XPS showing their intrinsic diversity.