Single-Layered MoS<sub>2</sub> Directly Grown on Rutile TiO<sub>2</sub>(110) for Enhanced Interfacial Charge Transfer.

Liu, Huihui; Li, Yue; Xiang, Miaomiao; Zeng, Hualing; Shao, Xiang · ACS Nano · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Interfacial charge transfer is critical for the photocatalytic activities of compositional photocatalysts. In this work, we have developed a strategy of growing single-layer MoS<sub>2</sub> sheets on the rutile TiO<sub>2</sub>(110) single-crystal surface using a chemical vapor deposition method. Both on-site and off-site characterizations confirmed the monolayer thickness and single crystallinity of the MoS<sub>2</sub> adlayer as well as the atomic flatness of the composite surface. Without the presence of contamination, the charge flow across the interface of MoS<sub>2</sub> and TiO<sub>2</sub> is greatly enhanced, which hence favors the charge separation under excitations and boots up the catalytic activity of the composite system. Moreover, we found the luminescing property of MoS<sub>2</sub> is significantly tailored upon coupling with the TiO<sub>2</sub> surface. Our work has established a method for revealing the interface properties of the transition-metal dichalcogenides and oxide semiconductors at the atomic level.