Synergistic effect stemming from vertically anchored seamless 2D MoSe2 nanosheets on 1D NiTiO3 nanofibers toward CO2 photoreduction

Herein, nickel titanate nanofiber/molybdenum diselenide nanosheet (NiTiO 3 NF/MoSe 2 ) heterostructures were prepared and their photocatalytic CO 2 photoreduction performance was assessed. The heterostructures were synthesized via a facile two-step synthesis route combining an electrospinning technique followed by a solvothermal method. The MoSe 2 nanosheets were vertically anchored to the surface of NiTiO 3 NF, thereby increasing the number of exposed active edges that are pivotal to photocatalytic performance. By tuning the loading of MoSe 2 in the heterostructure, the optimal condition was obtained for the fabrication of the NiTiO 3 NF/MoSe 2 heterojunctions. The as-prepared heterojunctions exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than pure NiTiO 3 NF and MoSe 2 for the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation. Among the several hybrid samples, the optimal sample displayed a 6.6- and 7.7-fold enhanced production of CO (386 µmol g –1 ) compared with that of pure NiTiO 3 NF (58 µmol g –1 ) and pure MoSe 2 (50 µmol g –1 ), respectively, with overall CO 2 selectivity of 86%. This enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to synergy created by tailored loading of MoSe 2 nanosheets onto the 1D NiTiO 3 NF. This hierarchical growth of MoSe 2 over NiTiO 3 NF provided more exposed edge sites, enhanced light absorption over the entire spectrum, and improved separation of photogenerated electrons and holes at the NiTiO 3 NF/MoSe 2 heterojunction interface. Such NiTiO 3 NF/MoSe 2 heterojunctions with broad spectral photocatalytic performance have potential applications in water splitting and water treatment. • Growing seamless and vertically aligned MoSe 2 nanosheets on NiTiO 3 NFs. • Hybrid structures exhibited extensive absorption in UV and visible spectrum. • Highly synergized NiTiO 3 NF/MoSe 2 showed high performance in CO 2 photoreduction.