MoS2 thin film decorated TiO2 nanotube arrays on flexible Ti foil for solar water splitting application

MoS₂/TiO₂ nanostructure provides a lot of advantages in photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications due to the absorption of the wide spectrum solar radiation, more catalytically active sites, proper band alignment, and better separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Here we report PEC water splitting studies of MoS₂ thin film grown by chemical vapor deposition on TiO₂ nanotubes fabricated on flexible thin Ti foil. Raman and x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the polycrystalline growth of a few layers MoS₂ on TiO₂/Ti through their characteristic peaks. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the nanotube surface morphology of TiO₂ having a diameter in the range of 200–300 nm. The chemical and electronic composition of MoS₂ and TiO₂ were investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. PEC measurements performed in 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte solution under 100 mW cm⁻² (AM 1.5G) simulated sunlight revealed 2-fold improved photocurrent density for MoS₂/TiO₂ heterostructure (∼135.7 μA cm⁻²) compared to that of bare TiO₂ (∼70 μA cm⁻²). This is attributed to extended light absorption and more catalytically active surface area resulting from MoS₂ functionalization of the TiO₂ nanotubes, which results in better PEC activity. This study provides a new insight to explore the performance of thin metal foil-based photoelectrode in PEC applications that can be beneficial to develop roll-to-roll device fabrication to advance futuristic flexible electronics.