Photoanode current of large-area MoS₂ ultrathin nanosheets with vertically mesh-shaped structure on indium tin oxide.

A large area of hydrothermally grown MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets (NSs) with a vertically mesh-shaped structure on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate was directly used as the photoanode of a potoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. The photoelectrocatalytic capacity of ultrathin MoS2 NSs was demonstrated, which was attributed not only to the excellent electrocatalytic activity originating from the exposed preferentially active edge sites but also to the superior photoelectric response resulting from the large light absorption of ultrathin MoS2 NSs and from the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs at the ITO/MoS2 interfaces. The significantly enhanced photocurrent indicates that the MoS2 ultrathin NSs can be a promising photoelectrocatalyst for PEC cells, unveiling the potential of MoS2-based PEC cells for solar energy absorption and conversion.