The enhanced photoelectrochemical response of SnSe2 nanosheets

Single-crystal SnSe2 nanosheets with a ten atomic-layer thickness have been prepared by a facile solvothermal route reaction in benzyl alcohol in the presence of PVP. Benzyl alcohol acts as the solvent and reducing reagent to promote the formation of the hexagonal phase of SnSe2, and the presence of PVP provides a stable environment for the construction of the SnSe2 nanosheets. A reasonable formation mechanism was put forward on the basis of the time-dependent experiments. The obtained SnSe2 nanosheets displayed an enhanced photocurrent compared to the thick SnSe2 nanoplates, which indicated potential applications in photodetectors, photovoltaic devices and so forth.