Properties, preparation, and application of tungsten disulfide: a review

Abstract Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) attract research interest owing to their unique physical and chemical properties. Among the family of TMDs, tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) has a unique band structure due to its semiconductor characteristics; namely, its broadband spectral response characteristics, ultra-fast bleach recovery time and excellent saturable light absorption. This article is a review of the current application of WS 2 in catalysts, lasers, batteries, photodetectors and lubricants. The review begins with a brief overview of the structure, properties and growth of WS 2 and describes the existing preparation methods for this material. Finally, methods for improving the performance of WS 2 in its current applications are presented. This review is limited to the most recent reports on this topic.