Enhanced photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance of MoS2/TiO2 nanocomposites for 304 stainless steel under visible light

Abstract In this work, TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) sensitized with MoS2 microspheres (MoS2/TiO2 nanocomposites) were prepared on a flat Ti substrate via two-step anodization and hydrothermal method sequentially. TiO2 NTAs were composed of many orderly nanotubes, whose large specific surface area was favorable for light absorption and MoS2 microsphere adhesion. The MoS2 microsphere as a narrow band gap semiconductor extended the TiO2 NTAs’ absorption band edge to the visible region. The 2D structure of MoS2 microspheres and the construction of heterojunction electronic field at the interface of MoS2 microspheres and TiO2 NTAs promoted the separation of photoinduced carriers. The MoS2/TiO2 nanocomposites could provide higher photoelectrochemical cathodic protection for 304 stainless steel (304 SS) under visible light than pristine TiO2 NTAs.