Electrophysical and Photo-Electrocatalytic Properties of MoS₂ Nanofilms

Abstract

MoS₂ nanofilms were created by thermochemical processing (sulfurization) of thin-film Мо and МоО_у precursors in S vapor. The precursor films were created by pulsed laser deposition. The obtained molybdenum disulfide films consisted of 2H-MoS₂ nanocrystals with laminar packing of basal planes oriented perpendicular to the film surface. The increase in the sulfurization temperature from 500°C to 800°C provided better quality of local packing and, as a consequence, reduction of electric resistance, higher concentration of carriers (electrons) and their mobility. The application of metal oxide precursor МоО_у resulted in higher efficiency of synthesis of high quality MoS₂ nanofilms. The efficiency of activation of the electrochemical processes of hydrogen production in an acidic solution was lower with crystalline MoS₂ nanofilms than with amorphous MoS_x films. Nanocrystalline MoS₂ films, however, manifested improved photo- and electrocatalytic characteristics in activation of reactions of hydrogen and oxygen evolution in an alkaline solution.