MoS2/Au-Sensitized TiO2 Nanotube Arrays with Core–Shell Nanostructure for Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Herein, a TiO2 NTAs-Au-MoS2 core–shell photoanode was constructed with the intention to fulfill the efficient transfer of photo-generated carriers to the photoelectrode’s surface. Au nanoparticles were decorated by a drop casting method, and the MoS2 layer was deposited above the Au nanoparticles using a photoreduction-annealing process. Au nanoparticles were well dispersed on the inner wall of the TiO2 nanotubes and covered by the MoS2 layer, forming a core–shell nanostructure. The MoS2 layer significantly improved the attachment between Au nanoparticles and TiO2 NTAs, resulting in increased PEC stability and performance. Attributed to the excitation of Au nanoparticles’ localized surface plasmon resonance effect and visible light utilization of MoS2, the TiO2 NTAs-Au-MoS2 core–shell photoanode exhibits greatly enhanced photocurrent density. An increase from 67[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2 to 234[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2 under Xe lamp illumination and from 2.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2 to 12.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2 under visible light illumination ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm) compared with the TiO2 NTAs was observed.