Substantially enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 nanorods/CdS nanocrystals heterojunction photoanode decorated with MoS2 nanosheets

Two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) modified 1D TiO2 nanorods/0D CdS nanocrystals (NCs) heterojunction has been fabricated by all solution process as a potential anode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting applications. This heterojunction photoanode shows high photocurrent density of 3.25 mA/cm2 at 0.9 V vs. RHE (0 V vs. Ag/AgCl) compared to the pristine TiO2/CdS photoanode. The influence of MoS2 NSs on PEC performance of TiO2/CdS/MoS2 heterojunction has been systematically investigated. We demonstrate that MoS2 NSs transfer holes from CdS and facilitate further charge separation in TiO2/CdS. Time resolved photoluminescence measurement reveals increase in photoluminescence lifetime due to the presence of MoS2 NSs in TiO2/CdS/MoS2 resulting in enhanced PEC activity. This work suggests that 1D TiO2/0D CdS/2D MoS2 heterojunction prototype is an interesting system where MoS2 NSs can be utilized to improve charge separation in photoanodes. This study would pave the way towards designing new heterojunction functional materials for efficient PEC applications.