Reactors for producing inoraganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide hollow nanoparticles and nanotubes

An apparatus for the production of inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles and nanotubes, the apparatus comprising a chemical reactor, and is associated with a feeding set up and with a temperature control means for controlling the temperature along the reaction path inside the reactor so as to maintain the temperature to be substantially constant, the chemical reactor comprising:

• (i) a flow line for providing a continuous flow of a mixture of a reacting metal oxide powder and an inert flow assisting gas from the feeding setup into the reaction path, which extends along the reaction path;
• (ii) at least one inlet port for supplying reacting gases into the reaction path to flow therethrough along the reaction path, an interaction between the reacting gases and said mixture resulting in the formation of the IF nanostructures and nanotubes during the flow of the interacting materials along the reaction path;
• (iii) at least one outlet port for trapping reacting gases;
• and
• (iv) at least one collector located at a the opposite end portion of the reactor for collecting the formed IF nanostructures or nanotubes.