Bulk vs nanoscale WS2:: Finite size effects and solid-state lubrication

To investigate phonon confinement in nanoscale metal dichalcogenides, we measured the low-temperature specific heat of layered and nanoparticle WS2. Below 9 K, the specific heat of the nanoparticles deviates from that of the bulk counterpart. Further, it deviates from the usual T (3) dependence below 4 K due to finite size effects that eliminate long wavelength acoustic phonons and interparticle-motion entropy. This separation of nanoscale effects from T-3 dependence can be modeled by assuming that the phonon density of states is flexible, changing with size and shape. We invoke relationships between the low-temperature T (3) phonon term, Young's modulus, and friction coefficient to assess the difference in the tribological properties. On the basis of this analysis, we conclude that the improved lubrication properties of the nanoparticles are extrinsic.