TiO2 nanoparticles modified with 2D MoSe2 for enhanced photocatalytic activity on hydrogen evolution

As an emerging two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, 2D MoSe2 nanosheets has the advantages of wide light response and rapid charge migration ability. In this work, 2D MoSe2/TiO2 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method. The microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites were systematically investigated and determined. The corresponding Raman peaks and crystal planes of MoSe2 were analysed by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy respectively, demonstrating the successful combination of the MoSe2 nanosheets and TiO2 nanoparticles. UV-vis diffused reflectance spectra demonstrated that the introduction of MoSe2 did increase the light absorption ability of the nanocomposites. A lower recombination of electrons and holes was demonstrated for the MoSe2/TiO2 heterojunction from photoluminescence results. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution test showed that the hydrogen production rate was 4.9 mu mol h(-1) for the sample with 0.1 wt.% MoSe2, 2 times higher than that of bare TiO2. This work provides a novel strategy for improving the photocatalytic properties of semiconductor photocatalyst. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.