Fabrication of a novel 3D E-Fe2O3-Pi-MoS2 film with highly enhanced carrier mobility and photoelectrocatalytic activity

A novel 3D E-Fe2O3-Pi-MoS2 film was fabricated for water oxidation and environmental remediation. The nonmetal doping with phosphorus and vertically oriented MoS2 nanosheets were successfully constructed on Fe2O3 substrate, and the electrochemical modification further enhanced its photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) activity. The photocurrent density of E-Fe2O3-Pi-MoS2 for water oxidation was 30 times or 19.4 times higher than that of Fe2O3 under visible light or UV-vis light illumination at 0.45 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively. E-Fe2O3-Pi-MoS2 film also showed excellent PEC activity for phenol degradation (93.73%) and good stability. Hydroxyl radicals and holes were main active species. The remarkable activity of E-Fe2O3-Pi-MoS2 film could be attributed to the synergistic effects of nonmetal doping with phosphorous, vertically oriented MoS2 nanosheets fabrication and the electrochemical modification treatment, which significantly improved the charge transfer and enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. This work provides an effective, environmentally friendly, and low-cost semiconductor materials for sustainable energy and environmental application. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.