TiO2: Si nanotube/1T-MoSe2 nanosheet hybrids with highly efficient hydrogen evolution catalytic activity.

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 TiO2 nanotubes/MoSe2 and Si-doped TiO2 NTs/MoSe2 hybrids were synthesized. The MoSe2 in the hybrids exhibited nanosheet morphology and metallic (1T) structure with high conductivity and catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction. Moreover, MoSe2 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 TiO2 NTs/MoSe2 hybrids showed remarkably greater photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activities than the nanotubes.