Hierarchical assembly of TiO₂ nanoparticles on WS₂ nanotubes achieved through multifunctional polymeric ligands

The WS₂ nanotubes and the subsequent coating of the functionalized nanotubes with monocrystalline TiO₂ (anatase) nanoparticles were functionalized by using a multifunctional polymeric ligands. The prepolymer ester obtained by free-radical polymerization was transformed into multifunctional polymeric ligand by substitution with amino-functionalized molecules. The UV/Vis spectrum of the synthesized WS₂ nanotubes show a broad absorption band of the nanotubes. A red shift of 15 nm is observed in the absorption band of pip-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) after binding the polymeric ligand to the nanotubes. The carbonyl band of the polymeric ligand after functionalization of the nanotube is seen at 1716 cm^-1 and the vibration of the amide group at 1636 nm^-1. The nanoparticles show lattice fringes with a d spacing of 0.347 nm, which is a characteristic value for the plane of anatase.