Few-Layered MoS₂ Nanoparticles Loaded TiO₂ Nanosheets with Exposed {001} Facets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

To improve the high charge carrier recombination rate and low visible light absorption of {001} facets exposed TiO 2 [TiO 2 (001)] nanosheets, few-layered MoS 2 nanoparticles were loaded on the surfaces of TiO 2 (001) nanosheets by a simple photodeposition method. The photocatalytic activities towards Rhodamine B (RhB) were investigated. The results showed that the MoS 2 –TiO 2 (001) nanocomposites exhibited much enhanced photocatalytic activities compared with the pure TiO 2 (001) nanosheets. At an optimal Mo/Ti molar ratio of 25%, the MoS 2 –TiO 2 (001) nanocomposites displayed the highest photocatalytic activity, which took only 30[Formula: see text]min to degrade 50[Formula: see text]mL of RhB (50[Formula: see text]mg/L). The active species in the degradation reaction were determined to be h[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]OH according to the free radical trapping experiments. The reduced charge carrier recombination rate, enhanced visible light utilization and increased surface areas contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic performances of the 25% MoS 2 –TiO 2 (001) nanocomposites.