Synthesis of nanoparticles with a closed structure of metal chalcogens having a lamellar crystalographic structure

A spray pyrolysis method for the synthesis of closed-structure nanoparticles of metal chalcogenides having a lamellar crystallographic structure, of the general formula (I) MaXb, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a solution of at least one precursor having the formula (II) (A)cM(X)d dissolved in a solvent,
• (b) providing a liquid aerosol by atomizing the solution obtained in step a) into fine droplets in suspension in an inert carrier gas, and
• (c) pyrolyzing the liquid aerosol obtained in step c);
• wherein, in formulas (I) and (II):
• A represents a cation,
• M represents a transition metal or a metal from group III, IV or V of the periodic table of the elements,
• X represents a chalcogen selected from oxygen, sulfur, selenium and tellurium, a and b each represents the proportion of metal and of chalcogen, respectively, in formula (I),
• c and d each represents the proportion of cations and of chalcogens, respectively, in formula (II),
• M and X represent a metal and a chalcogen, respectively, of a metal chalcogenide MaXb having a lamellar crystallographic structure.