Abstract
We report, the fabrication of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) wrapped silicon nanowires (Si NWs) for visible light driven water splitting applications. The morphological and elemental studies ensure the vertical alignment of Si NWs wrapped with 2D layered MoS2. The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) results evidence the significant enhancement in performance of MoS2/Si NWs based hybrid photocathode with ~300 mV (under reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) anodic shift in onset potential as that of pristine Si NWs (+0.194 V vs. RHE), and the current density of −26.5 mA/cm2 was achieved at the applied bias of 0 V vs. RHE. Further, the electrochemical impedance studies ensure the interface resistance-free charge transfer between Si NWs and electrolyte via 2D MoS2 layer which provokes rapid hydrogen production. The wrapping of Si NWs with MoS2 protects the superlative photocathode from harsh acid electrolyte environment. The overgrown MoS2 triangular particles with active sulphur edge sites are found to eventually augment the solar hydrogen evolution rate. Further, the PEC performance of our MoS2/Si NWs is also comparable with stable Pt/Si NWs photoelectrode. It is note-worthy that, MoS2/Si NWs hybrid heterostructure would be a potential candidate in future large scale, low cost and day-to-day solar water splitting applications.
[Display omitted]
•MoS2/Si NWs hybrid heterostructure overcomes the limitation of standalone Si NWs.•It shows excellent PEC performance with the onset potential of +0.194V vs. RHE.•The heterostructure is expected to be the potential electrode for PEC applications.•Our MoS2/Si NWs device exhibits an excellent stability over 20,000 seconds.