Owing to unique physical and chemical properties, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) attract research interest. Among the family of TMDs, tungsten disulfide (WS₂) has a unique band structure due to its semiconductor properties; i.e., its broadband spectral response characteristics, ultra-fast bleaching recovery time, and excellent saturable light absorption.

Alloys are metals made by combining two or more metallic elements, primarily to provide greater strength or corrosion resistance. The tungsten alloy family has many industrial applications due to its strength. Tungsten offers a unique contribution because it imparts exceptional strength, corrosion resistance and other useful properties to base metals. In addition to being an excellent alloying element, tungsten can also serve as the basis for its own alloys, and this article will focus on the basic categories of these tungsten alloys. Below are some details on the 3 most common tungsten alloys widely used in industry. Their properties and applications will also be introduced.

The atomic structure of tungsten disulfide (WS₂) consists of a stack of three layers formed by a transition metal layer (W atom) sandwiched between two S-atom layers, each with a hexagonal lattice structure. In the three-layer stack, W and S atoms are bonded together by strong ion-covalent bonds. WS₂ formed by these three layers is held together by weak van der Waals interactions, which allow mechanical exfoliation of the WS₂ layer. In the bulk phase, polymorphism is a unique feature of TMDs.

The current applications on WS₂ nanomaterials still face challenges and should be investigated in depth in the following aspects. Firstly, the study mechanism of HER needs to be deepened and clarified in terms of the fundamental properties of WS₂. Advanced characterization methods, such as in situ techniques, can be combined to analyze the structural changes of the material during the catalytic process and reveal the catalytic process of WS₂-based nanomaterials, especially electrocatalysis.