Fabrication of MoS2-deposited TiO2 hollow microspheres and their enhanced photocatalytic application in the generation of hydrogen

Abstract

MoS₂-deposited TiO₂ hollow spheres were synthesized successfully under mild temperature and autogenous pressure. The hydrothermal technique was adopted for the synthesis of the TiO₂ hollow microsphere, followed by a photodeposition technique for the deposition of MoS₂. The physical and chemical nature of the samples was characterized using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, XPS and UV–vis spectroscopy. In an aqueous medium under the influence of light, the characterized samples were used in the production of hydrogen via photocatalysis. The increase in the formation of hydrogen content during photocatalysis confirms the successful generation and the benefits of the photogenerated carriers. With an increase in the MoS₂ content, there is an incredible change in the photocatalytic performance. The resultant is due to the free moment of the holes and electrons and lessening in charge recombination centres formed as a result of the nano-heterojunction linking between MoS₂ and TiO₂. A more significant photocatalytic production of hydrogen was achieved using 50 MST sample i.e. 106 μmol⁻¹ g⁻¹ beyond which it tends to decrease with an increase in MoS₂ content.

Graphic abstract