Patent ID: 8496907

Claim:
A process for synthesizing a rodlike or threadlike tungsten oxide comprising W 5 O 14 , the process comprising: (a) providing a tungsten source and a nickel source to a closed vessel; (b) effecting a vapor phase transport of the tungsten source or the tungsten source and the nickel source; and (c) synthesizing the rodlike or threadlike tungsten oxide comprising W 5 O 14 ; wherein the tungsten source comprises any one of: (i) pure tungsten, (ii) substantially stoichiometric WS 2 , (iii) tungsten oxides WO 3−Y , 0≦Y≦1, or (iv) combinations thereof; and wherein the nickel source comprises any one of: (i) NiI 2 , (ii) Ni(OH) 2 , (iii) elemental nickel, or (iv) combinations thereof.