Synthesis of small-sized rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles.

Rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles with average size 5.5 nm were synthesized. Characterizations by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrum, and X-ray powder diffraction verified the formation of ReS(2) rhenium sulfide colloidal nanoparticles. The colloidal nanoparticles had good stability and they could be stored stably for 1 week in water. Surface modification by organic molecules improved the stability of the rhenium sulfide nanoparticles. The small-sized rhenium sulfide nanoparticles may be useful for their promising applications in tracing diagnosis and therapy of tumor diseases.