Synthesis of magnetic FeWO₄ nanoparticles and their decoration of WS₂ nanotubes surface

Owing to their unique properties such as mechanical, optical, magnetic, nanomaterials attracted a great interest over the last two decades. Inorganic nanotubes, e.g. WS₂, make an important class of nanomaterials with numerous potential applications. In the current work, a new synthetic strategy is developed to decorate the surface of WS₂ nanotubes with FeWO₄ nanoparticles. The FeWO₄ nanoparticles were produced by first depositing amorphous iron oxide film onto the WS₂ nanotubes’ surface and, subsequently, high-temperature annealing (600 °C). Careful analysis by electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction and other techniques were carried out. Based on these analyses, the growth mechanism of the hybrid nanostructures was elucidated. Magnetic measurements were employed to shed light on the magnetic behavior of the hybrid nanostructures. The orientation and position of the WS₂ nanotubes decorated with the FeWO₄ nanoparticles could be partially affected by applying a magnetic field using non-viscous solvents, like ethanol.