Metal nanoparticle deposited inorganic nanostructure hybrids, uses thereof and processes for their preparation

1. A hybrid comprising at least one inorganic layered compound in the form of fullerene-like structure or a nanotube and at least one metal nanoparticle, wherein said hybrid is a photocatalyst.

2. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one inorganic layered compound is a compound of formula (I):

M p X n   (I)

wherein

M is a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals, post-transition metals, lanthanoid metals and actinoid metals;

X is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te;

p is 1 or 2; and

n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

3. A hybrid according to claim 2 , wherein M is selected from W, Mo, V, Zr, Hf, Pt, Re, Nb, Ti, Ga, In, Sn, Pb, Ta and Bi.

4. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one inorganic layered compound is selected from a group consisting of WS 2 , MoS 2 , WSe 2 , MoSe 2 , NbS 2 , ReS 2 , TiS 2 , TaS 2 , ZrS 2 and any combination thereof.

5. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one inorganic layered compound is in the form of a nanotube.

6. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one metal nanoparticle is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Fe, Ti, Cu, V, Mn, Cr, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Ag, Os and any combination thereof and oxides thereof.

7. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one metal nanoparticle is deposited on the surface of said at least one inorganic layered compound.

8. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one nanoparticle has a particle size of between about 1 mn to about 100 nm.

9. A hybrid according to claim 1 , wherein said inorganic layered compound and nanoparticle have a diameter in the range of between about 20 nm to about 200 nm.

10. A hybrid according to claim 1 , comprising WS 2 nanostructure and at least one metal nanoparticle.

11. A hybrid according to claim 1 , comprising at least one inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticle and at least one metal nanoparticle.

12. A hybrid according to claim 1 , for use as a catalytic agent.

13. A process for the preparation of a hybrid comprising at least one inorganic layered compound or fullerene-like nanoparticle and at least one metal nanoparticle, said process comprising:

providing at least one inorganic layered compound or fullerene-like nanoparticle;

electroless plating at least a portion of the surface of said inorganic layered compound or fullerene-like nanoparticle with at least one metal nanoparticle; thereby providing said hybrid.

14. A method of catalyzing an organic decomposition reaction, comprising performing said organic decomposition reaction in the presence of at least one catalytic agent comprising at least one inorganic layered compound in the form of fullerene-like structure or a nanotube and at least one metal nanoparticle.