Nanostructuring of WS$_{\mathrm{\mathbf{2}}}$\textbf{, and MoS}$_{\mathrm{\mathbf{2}}}$\textbf{ by Salt-Assisted Milling in NaCl and KCl}

This project will measure bond length, electronic structure, and particle sizes for the nanostructured transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) catalysts MoS$_{\mathrm{2}}$, and WS$_{\mathrm{2}}$.~ The process to nanostructure the TMDs is expected to deliver particles in high yield (20 mg/mL dispersed in solvent).~ The particles should have lateral dimensions of 4 nm to 5 nm and thicknesses of 1nm (indicating one or two exfoliated layers are formed).~ Key to the process is the use of salts (e.g. NaCl and KCl) to penetrate the TMD layers whilst the material is being pulverized during a ball milling process.~ Published literature gives a mechanism for the effectiveness of salt-assisted milling based on mechanical interactions with no data reported on Na/K-M, Na/K-S (where M $=$ Mo, or W) chemical interactions.~ Results gained will yield new insights to the literature. If M-S bond lengthening is observed, it could explain the hierarchy of catalytic efficiency among the TMDs.