|  |
THE MATERIALS - a short description
 The MOSIX nanowires are similar to well-known Chevrel phase compounds, with the notable difference that in MOSIX materials there are no cross-links between individual columns. The individual nanowires are structured as cluster polymers with individual nanowire diameters being less than 1 nm. As-grown, the nanowires are in the form of bundles of nanowires.
Functionally, MoSIx nanowires are very similar to carbon nanotubes and can be considered as their direct replacement in many applications. Ease of handling, tunable intrinsic properties, anomalously large paramagnetism and excellent mechanical properties give MoSIx specific advantages.
Chemical substitutions are possible in Mo6C9-xHx where C is chalcogen an H is halogen, whereby their chemical, physical and functional properties are altered. The original materials contained C=sulphur and H=iodine, but substitutions of other chalcogenides and halides have been shown to be possible.
 The MOSIx materials also have some important advantages and special properties over existing materials:
- Straightforward and reproducible synthesis, suitable for up-scaling.
- Separation from impurities is straightforward, with no chemical treatment necessary.
- Excellent dispersion characteristics down to single nanowires.
- Excellent solubility in common polymers used in composites.
- Excellent tribological properties (ultralow friction coefficients of 0.03 have been demonstrated).
- Semimetallic transport along the nanowire bundles.
- They can be doped (in bundles or in electrolytic solutions).
- Air-stablility up to >200C.
- Stablility up to >700C in an inert atmosphere.
- Can be positioned in nanocircuits using electrophoretic techniques.
- Chemically inert.
- Compatibility with common solvents, including water.
- Chemical reactions (functionalisation) may be performed under aqueous conditions, which is crucial for interfacing MOSIx materials to biological molecules.
More information and literature is available.
.
|  | |
