TiO 2 : Si nanotube/1T-MoSe 2 nanosheet hybrids with highly efficient hydrogen evolution catalytic activity

Abstract Transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit an excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction and continue to attract many studies. Some heterojunctions are also used to enhance the catalytic activity. In this work, the TiO 2 nanotubes/MoSe 2 and Si-doped TiO 2 NTs/MoSe 2 hybrids were synthesized. The MoSe 2 in the hybrids exhibited nanosheet morphology and metallic (1T) structure with high conductivity and catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction. Moreover, MoSe 2 decoration provided high light absorbance for the hybrids and highly efficient interface-induced effect at the heterojunction. Furthermore, the Si-doping increased specific surface area and hydrophilicity. Thus, the Si-doped TiO 2 NTs/MoSe 2 hybrids showed remarkably greater photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activities than the nanotubes.