Tungsten Disulfide Micron Powder

In recent years, the study of micron powders has surged significantly due to the unforeseen results that can be achieved by modifying the atomic and molecular properties of their constituent atoms. 

Among these specialized micron powders, tungsten disulfide micron powder stands out due to its exceptional and distinctive physical and chemical properties. Discover Nanografi's microparticles products.

Introduction

Tungsten disulfide micron powder is a material of remarkable uniqueness, exhibiting characteristics that render it highly intriguing and advantageous for a multitude of applications. This silvery grey powder, comprised of flaky tungsten disulfide particles, is renowned primarily as a superior dry lubricant, boasting a friction coefficient of 0.03, and also serves as an effective catalyst. Additionally, it has found a wide range of applications across various industries. Tungsten disulfide (WS2, tungsten sulfide) micron powder is derived from tungsten disulfide, an inorganic compound of tungsten. The symbol W represents Wolfram, the original chemical name for tungsten. Tungsten disulfide occurs naturally as the mineral "Tungstenite" and can also be synthesized chemically

History

Extensive research has been undertaken on tungsten disulfide, a distinctive tungsten compound with remarkable properties. In 1992, researchers discovered that its structure enables the formation of nanotube configurations, marking the first instance of tungsten disulfide being utilized as a low-dimensional material. Recently, it has gained significant importance due to the advent of simple mechanical exfoliation techniques, which have allowed scientists to isolate single layers of this two-dimensional material. This advancement facilitated the study of WS2 flakes, revealing that the bandgap of WS2 shifts from an indirect bandgap of 1.4 eV to a direct bandgap of 2 eV when transitioning from bulk material to a two-dimensional form. Currently, it is a focal point of research because of its bandgap properties, making it a material of interest for various applications. Historically, tungsten disulfide was both expensive and challenging to acquire in small quantities. However, its cost has recently decreased, leading to its widespread use across different fields.

Characteristics of Tungsten Disulfide Micron Powder

Tungsten disulfide belongs to the transition metal dichalcogenides family. When in bulk form, it has been widely utilized as a dry lubricant due to its distinctive properties, including a low coefficient of friction, remarkable thermal stability, and excellent chemical resilience. This material demonstrates controllable spin and valley polarization, a high on/off ratio in field-effect transistors, adjustable photoluminescence, and significant geometrical confinement of excitons, making its characteristics closely resemble those of Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2). Additionally, it is garnering attention in fields such as photodetectors and multi-junction photovoltaics.

Among commonly used dry lubricants like molybdenum disulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, and graphite, tungsten disulfide boasts the lowest coefficient of friction at 0.03, rendering it one of the most lubricious materials known. Its temperature use range surpasses that of other dry lubricants, and its compatibility with various substances, including metals and plastics, further enhances its desirability.

Tungsten disulfide micron powder finds diverse applications, particularly in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, owing to its exceptional resistance to high temperatures in both normal atmospheres and vacuums. It is extensively employed as a coating material to reduce friction and is prevalent in the automotive, aerospace, and numerous other hardware industries, spanning across hundreds of sectors.

Properties of Tungsten Disulfide Micron Powder

Tungsten disulfide is a compound composed of tungsten and sulfur atoms. Tungsten belongs to Block D, Period 6, while sulfur is found in Block P, Period 3. This compound is part of the intriguing category of two-dimensional materials known as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Similar to other 2D materials, tungsten disulfide (WS2) possesses distinctive optical and electrical properties and demonstrates a strong affinity for protons across a wide energy spectrum. It also boasts high carrier capacity over a broad range of wavelengths.

WS2 features covalent bonding with six neighboring chalcogenides within the same plane. It tends to form layers above and below its plane through Van der Waals forces. The surfaces of all 2D materials, including WS2, are naturally self-passivated and free of dangling bonds, facilitating their integration with photonic structures such as cavities and waveguides. Waveguides are capable of directing electromagnetic waves and sound with minimal energy loss by confining the waves and transmission energy to a single direction.

As a layered compound semiconductor, tungsten disulfide exhibits a crystalline hexagonal structure, where the metal layer in each sheet is sandwiched between two layers of chalcogen in a trigonal prismatic arrangement. This configuration results in strong covalent bonds between the chalcogen and metal atoms, while the layers themselves interact weakly through Van der Waals forces. These characteristics render tungsten disulfide an ideal solid lubricant, and its tribological properties have garnered significant attention.

Furthermore, the ability to vertically stack various 2D materials enables the creation of unique heterostructures without conventional lattice mismatch. Tungsten disulfide also forms exceptionally thin films that interact robustly with incident light, absorbing approximately 10% of it. Owing to its electronic properties, WS2 can engage with electromagnetic light across a wide spectrum.

Tungsten disulfide is notably resistant to temperature variations, maintaining stability from -270°C to 650°C under normal atmospheric conditions and from -188°C to 1316°C in a vacuum. Its impressive melting point of 1250°C underscores its status as a highly stable chemical compound.

Applications of Tungsten Disulfide Micron Powder

Solid Lubricant

High-Temperature and High-Pressure Applications: Tungsten disulfide micron powder is commonly used in heavy machinery, particularly in environments that involve high temperatures and pressures, thanks to its low friction coefficient (0.03) and high thermal stability.

Wear and Friction Reduction: It is utilized in the automotive and aerospace industries to lubricate engine components such as pistons, bearings, and cylinders.

Vacuum Environments: Tungsten disulfide provides effective lubrication even in vacuum conditions, making it suitable for space and satellite technology.

Engine Oil Additive

Improved Fuel Efficiency and Performance: Adding tungsten disulfide to engine oil reduces friction, leading to better fuel efficiency and enhanced engine performance.

Cold Start Protection: It provides immediate lubrication during cold starts by forming a stable lubricant film on metal surfaces, extending engine life and reducing wear.

Coating Material

Tribological Coatings: It is applied as a surface coating to reduce friction and wear between moving parts.

Heavy Industry and Engineering: Tungsten disulfide is used to coat moving mechanical components like valves, actuators, bearings, gears, and shafts.

Catalyst

Hydrodesulfurization and Hydrogenation Reactions: Tungsten disulfide is an effective catalyst in the petrochemical industry, particularly in hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation processes.

Semiconductor and Electronic Applications

Thin-Film Transistors: Due to its 2D structure and electronic properties, tungsten disulfide is used in nanoelectronic devices and transistors.

Optoelectronics: It is applied in photodetectors and solar cells for its optoelectronic properties.

Energy Storage

Fuel Cells and Batteries: Tungsten disulfide micron powder is used in fuel cell components as an anode material and in other energy storage devices.

Medical and Dental Applications

Orthopedic Devices and Dentistry: It is applied as a coating on orthodontic wires and other medical devices to reduce friction and improve performance.

Military and Defense

Ballistic Protection and Armor Applications: Tungsten disulfide is used in military equipment for its wear resistance and impact strength.

Aerospace and Space Applications

Spacecraft Components: Due to its stability across a wide temperature range (-270°C to 650°C), tungsten disulfide is ideal for use in space exploration and satellite components.

Other Applications

Shock Absorbers and Springs: It is widely used in automotive applications to reduce friction and improve performance.

Cutting Tools and Molds: Tungsten disulfide’s lubricating properties make it ideal for metalworking tools and mold applications.

Conclusion

In recent years, nanotechnology has experienced significant advancements, with numerous notable achievements in the field. Among these, tungsten disulfide micron powder stands out due to its unique properties. This material has found widespread applications across various industries, including electronics, marine technology, and military equipment. Nevertheless, ongoing research aims to uncover the full potential of this exceptional substance. Tungsten disulfide micron powder has also gained prominence in studies related to condensed matter physics and the development of WS2-based transistors. Additionally, its photonic and optoelectronic properties have become central to current research efforts. While the importance of tungsten disulfide micron powder is well-recognized, much remains to be explored to fully understand its capabilities.

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References

Chen, J., & Xiang, X. (2020). Tungsten disulfide (WS2): A review of its lubrication applications and recent advances. Tribology International, 144, 106105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2019.106105 

Hsu, W. T., Zhao, Z. A., Li, L. J., Chen, C. H., Chiu, M. H., Chang, P. S., & Chang, W. H. (2014). Second harmonic generation from artificially stacked transition metal dichalcogenide twisted bilayers. ACS Nano, 8(3), 2951-2958. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn500228r

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