Synthesis of tribological WS2 powder from oxide precursor

Abstract

This paper describes two stages process for synthesis of WS2 powder on selected temperatures by using WO3 as a precursor. WO3 submicron particles were prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of ammonium meta-tungstate (AMT) at 650°C in the air. WS2 particles were obtained by sulfurization of the WO3 particles in presence of additive K2CO3 in a nitrogen atmosphere, first at lower temperature (200°C) and followed by reduction at higher temperature (900°C). HSC Chemistry software package 9.0 is used for the analysis of chemistry and thermodynamic parameters of the processes for synthesis of WS2 powder. The samples of WO3 and WS2 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The morphology and composition of these samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).