NEW MOLECULAR ROUTES FOR SYNTHESIZING TITANIUM DISULFIDE

Titanium isopropoxide was reacted with H2S to form amorphous alkoxy-su lfide precursors. Gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy indicat e that a thiolysis-condensation mechanism is responsible for the forma tion of the precursors. The alkoxide was also reacted with organic sul fidizing agents, such as dimethyldisulfide and hexamethyldisilthiane. The precursors are all amorphous and are comprised of spherical partic les. On heat treatment in H2S, the spherical particles transform to th e crystalline sulfide having unique morphologies and exhibiting random as well as preferred growth of sulfide platelets.