Controlled Formation of TiO2/MoS2 Core–Shell Heterostructures with Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activities

Most recently, much attention has been devoted to photocatalytic materials that may help to solve the global energy crisis and may provide environmental protection. Herein, novel cocatalysts based on few layered MoS₂ and TiO₂ nanomaterials have been designed by growing MoS₂ nanosheets on the surface of TiO₂ nanospheres through a facile hydrothermal method. The method allows the formation of TiO₂/MoS₂ core–shell heterostructures of uniform morphologies and stable structure and provides a good control over shell thickness. The mechanism that forms these heterostructures is discussed in detail. In addition, as cocatalyst, MoS₂ nanosheets can enlarge the light harvesting window to include visible light and improve the photocatalytic ability of TiO₂. Using Rhodamine B as the model, the resultant heterostructure is demonstrated to possess excellent and stable photocatalytic activity in the degradation of organic pollutants under visible light illumination. The TiO₂/MoS₂ heterostructures possess this catalytic activity due to their large surface area and their excellent interface for separating holes and electrons. Therefore, this novel heterostructure nanomaterials possess potential applications in water treatment, degradation of dye pollutants, and environmental cleaning.