(TiO2(B) Nanosheet)/(Metallic Phase MoS2) Hybrid Nanostructures: An Efficient Catalyst for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Developing photocatalysts that can efficiently produce hydrogen from water under solar irradiation is highly desired for sustainable and clean hydrogen energy. Herein, it is demonstrated that (TiO2(B) nanosheet)/(metallic phase MoS2) hybrid nanostructures have high activity for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water. The TiO2(B) nanosheets are prepared by solvothermal reaction with TiCl3 as a precursor in the presence of ethylene glycol. Due to the short transportation distance of charge carriers, more negative conduction band edge, and the existence of oxygen vacancy, the photocatalytic activity of the pure TiO2(B) nanosheets is one order of the magnitude larger than that of the commercial P25. After loading metallic phase MoS2, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2(B) is further improved by approximate to 13 times to 1444 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) because of the superior activity of metallic phase MoS2 for hydrogen evolution. The findings provide a cost-effective and highly active photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water and are very helpful for the development of sustainable and clean hydrogen energy.