Oxidizing Properties of the Polysulfide Surfaces of Patronite VS₄ and NbS₃ Induced by (S₂)²⁻ Groups: Unusual Formation of Ag₂S Nanoparticles

Abstract

Similarly to transition metal dichalcogenides akin to MoS2, transition metal polysulfides like tri‐ and tetrachalcogenide materials are nowadays incorporated into catalysts and composites used for energy conversion and storage, etc. However, polysulfide structures feature SS units, which make them strikingly different from the widely known MoS2 and other dichalcogenides. At the same time, their surface chemistry and its relation to properties are very little studied. Reported here is one of the first observations on the oxidizing properties of disulfide bridges (SS)2− forming surfaces in polysulfide crystals. Upon interaction with silver salts or silver nanoparticles, MoS2 acts as most supports, that is, it stabilizes metallic Ag at its surface; in contrast, curiously, patronite VS4 and NbS3 stabilize Ag2S nanoparticles under identical reducing conditions. The Ag/MoS2, Ag2S/NbS3, and Ag2S/VS4 samples are characterized with X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Apparently, the unexpected formation of Ag2S is due to complex redox processes involving disulfide fragments –S–S– of nanorods VS4 or nanoribbons NbS3, which are absent in MoS2 nanosheets. This result is important for fundamental understanding of the properties of sulfur‐rich surfaces and also for contributing to the number of available synthetic paths toward Ag2S nanoparticles.

Hollow-Carbon-Templated Few-Layered V5S8 Nanosheets Enabling Ultrafast Potassium Storage and Long-Term Cycling

“…The binding energies at 162.0 and 163.0 eV can be ascribed to S 2p 3/2 and S 2p 1/2 , respectively, which can be attributed to (−S−S−) 2− . 33 Due to the complex preparation process for hollow carbon, partial oxidation and residual oxygen functional groups in the hollow carbon may occur. The C 1s spectra of V 5 S 8 @C can be fitted into three peaks: nonoxygenated carbon (CC bonds, 284.6 eV), oxygenated carbon (C−O−C, 286.5 eV), and carboxylate carbon (O−C O, 288 eV).…”

Stabilizing Intermediate Phases via Efficient Entrapment Effects of Layered VS4/SnS@C Heterostructure for Ultralong Lifespan Potassium‐Ion Batteries

“…It was known that, the chemical interaction between two kinds of polar molecule is much stronger than that between a nonpolar molecule and a polar molecule through dipole‐dipole intermolecular forces or hydrogen bonds, and it is believed that introducing polar materials into SnS nanosheet may more favorable with respect to strengthening the chemical affinity in interactions and effectively stabilize the K x S y intermediate of SnS active material, especially during repeatedly (de)potassiation processes, which is similar to restrict the shuttle reactions in metal‐sulfur batteries. [ 32,33 ] Meanwhile, building the elaborate heterostructure with high density of phase boundaries is in favor of restricting the coarsening of Sn interphase and boosting charge transfer as well as enhanced nanostructure stability and electrochemical properties. [ 29–31 ]…”

Photodecoloration of Methyl Orange Solution Assisted by ZrS3 Powders

“…Presence of the disulfide group introduces new chemical properties which could be useful in known physico-chemical processes required in modern industry. Sulfur in the disulfide group is charged as -1, so it can be oxidized or reduced [11] in 1electron ox-red processes, so these systems can be considered as ASTESJ ISSN: 2415-6698 electron reservoirs [12]. This property can meet an application in high capacity alkaline batteries [4], [13].…”