Controlled synthesis of low-dimensional MoS2\TiO2 based core-shell structure for hydrogen evolution reaction

In this report, we present the synthesis of low dimensional shell-core (2D\1D) nanostructures, in which the TiO2 nanorods (TNRs) as the core are covered by a continuous monolayer MoS2 (1L-MoS2) as the shell. The obtain 1L-MoS2\TNRs was directly grown on the conduct graphite foil without any transfer process, thus minimizing the charge transfer resistance from the electrode to the outer most working surface. For the first steps, the TiO2 seed layer was designed by the AF sputtering method, then the TNRs were grown by hydrothermal approach. Thereafter, the TNRs were conformally coated by a continuous monolayer MoS2 via a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition technique, resulting in 1L-MoS2\TNRs nanomaterial. The structural, vibrational, and morphological characteristics demonstrated that the samples are high crystallinity. Interestingly, the 1L-MoS2\TNRs showed highly efficient in electrochemical HER activity with the smallest onset overpotential of -140 mV vs RHE and a corresponding Tafel slope of 80 mV per decade, which were much lower compared to the pristine 1L-MoS2 and TNRs.