Synthesis of crystalline WS₃ with a layered structure and desert-rose-like morphology

Tungsten disulphide has attracted great research interest due to its layered structure as well as physical and chemical properties. A less common type of tungsten sulphide, WS₃, has also been studied as an electrochemical catalyst, but its crystal structure remains unclear because it has only been prepared in the amorphous form. In this work, crystalline WS₃ is synthesized with a desert-rose-like morphology through the sulphurization of WO₃·0.33H₂O in a solvothermal reaction. The composition of WS₃ is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements as well as thermogravimetric experiment. The crystalline WS₃ also has a layered structure and is likely to belong to the trigonal crystal system. Its lattice parameters in the hexagonal description are 5.30 Å × 5.30 Å × 29.0 Å <90 ° × 90 ° × 120°>, which are determined by 3D electron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction. The WS₃ shows potential as catalyst for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. Our findings extend the family of layered tungsten sulphide materials.