Morphology-Dependent ZnO/MoS₂ Heterostructures for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study reports the synthesis of ZnO nanosheets, nanorods, and nanotubes through electrodeposition, followed by the deposition of MoS 2 layers using RF magnetron sputtering to create ZnO/MoS 2 heterostructures. The morphological and structural properties of these materials were characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of synthesized ZnO and ZnO/MoS 2 heterostructures for water splitting was evaluated. Results indicate that the morphology of ZnO significantly influences the PEC activity of the ZnO/MoS 2 heterostructures. The ZnO/MoS 2 heterostructure with ZnO nanotubes exhibited the highest PEC performance, achieving a photocurrent density of ∼1.28 mA/cm 2 at 1.65 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, which is 2.5 times greater than that of the pristine ZnO nanotube photoanode. This study suggests that ZnO/MoS 2 heterostructures can be promising photoanodes for efficient hydrogen production through PEC water oxidation.