1T- and 2H-mixed phase MoS2 nanosheets coated on hollow mesoporous TiO2 nanospheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Recently, photocatalysts with a hollow mesoporous structure have drawn increasing interest owing to their extensive application in environmental protection. Herein, we prepared hollow mesoporous TiO2 nanospheres decorated with few layer 1T- and 2H- mixed phase MoS2 nanosheets via a template-based method and a hydrothermal reaction. The as-synthesized samples are of hollow mesoporous structure and high specific surface area, providing abundant mass transport and active sites for photocatalytic reaction. 1T-MoS2 in the mixed phase MoS2 mainly play the role as a bridge that transfers photoexcited electrons. Besides, the heterojunction between MoS2 and TiO2 can also efficiently restrain the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers in photocatalysts. As a consequence, under UV–vis light irradiation, the hollow porous TiO2/MoS2 presents a remarkable photocatalytic activity in rhodaming B degradation. Scavenger studies demonstrate that the primary active species in photocatalytic process are hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, a possible photocatalytic reaction mechanism has also been put forward.