MoS₂-TiO₂ Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photo-electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

The investigation on the designing and fabrication of highly efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical for future applications in renewable sustainable energy. The present work reports the hydrothermal synthesis of two-dimensional MoS 2 and MoS 2 -TiO 2 nanostructures. The as-prepared nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman analysis, UV–vis-NIR, and photoluminescence spectrophotometry and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Systematic electrochemical measurements for HER were performed and MoS 2 -TiO 2 nanocomposites demonstrated the lowest onset potential in comparison with MoS 2 . The results suggest that the nanofusion interface between MoS 2 nanoflakes and TiO 2 nanoparticles induced an efficient charge transfer from the conduction band of MoS 2 to TiO 2 and favored the reduction of H + at active sites. We believe the present work can open up new possibilities that would provide deep insights for the rational design of 2D materials-based catalysts for energy storage and conversion applications.