Facile synthesis and catalytic activity of MoS2/TiO2 by a photodeposition-based technique and its oxidized derivative MoO3/TiO2 with a unique photochromism

UV-light irradiation to TiO2 in an aqueous ethanol solution of (NH4)2MoS4 under deaerated conditions has yielded molybdenum(IV) sulfide nanoparticles on a TiO2 surface (MoS2/TiO2) to be transformed into molybdenum(VI) oxide species highly dispersed at a molecular level by a subsequent heating at 773 K in air (m-MoO3/TiO2). In HCOOH aqueous solutions, the MoS2/TiO2 system exhibits a high level of photocatalytic activity for H2 generation, while the m-MoO3/TiO2 system shows unique photochromism.

Graphical abstractThe MoS2/TiO2 and MoO3/TiO2 heterojunctions prepared by the photodeposition-based technique show a high photocatalytic activity for H2 generation and a unique photochromic property, respectively.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (47 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► UV-light irradiation to TiO2 in an (NH4)2MoS4 aqueous ethanol solution yields MoS2 nanoparticles on TiO2 (MoS2/TiO2). ► The MoS2 nanoparticles are transformed into molecular MoOx species by air oxidation. ► The MoS2/TiO2 system exhibits a high photocatalytic activity for H2 generation. ► The m-MoO3/TiO2 system shows unique photochromism.