MoS2 Quantum Dots@TiO2 Nanotube Arrays: An Extended‐Spectrum‐Driven Photocatalyst for Solar Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TiO 2 NTAs) decorated with molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS 2 QDs) were synthesized by a facile electrodeposition method and used as a composite photocatalyst. MoS 2 QDs/TiO 2 NTAs showed enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with pristine TiO 2 NTAs for solar light‐promoted H 2 evolution without adding any sacrificial agents or cocatalysts. The photocatalytic activity was influenced by the amount of MoS 2 QDs coated on TiO 2 NTAs. The optimal composition showed excellent photocatalytic activity, achieving H 2 evolution rates of 31.36, 5.29, and 1.67 μmol cm −2 h −1 corresponding to ultraviolet (UV, λ <420 nm), visible (Vis, λ ≥420 nm), and near‐infrared (NIR, λ >760) illumination, respectively. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the decreased bandgap and the surface plasmonic properties of MoS 2 QDs/TiO 2 NTAs, which promoted electron–hole pair separation and the absorption capacity for Vis and NIR light. This study presents a facile approach for fabricating MoS 2 QDs/TiO 2 NTA heterostructures for efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution, which will facilitate the development of designing new photocatalysts for environment and energy applications.