*Raul Zazpe^1,2, Richard Krumpolec³, Jaroslav Charvot¹, Hanna Sopha^1,2, Jhonatan Rodriguez Pereira^1,2, Filip Bureš¹, Jan M. Macak^1,2
1University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic; ²Brno University of Technology, Pardubice, Czech Republic; ³Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
2D semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted considerable attention due to their layered structure, suitable band gap for visible light absorption, high carrier mobility, electrochemically active unsaturated edges and relatively good stability against photocorrosion. These properties point out promising for different applications including hydrogen evolution, photocatalysis and Li-ion batteries. However, their low light absorption efficiency, recombination issues of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs and slow charge transfer of the intrinsic semiconducting 2H-phase are a handicap. An efficient strategy to surpass those intrinsic limitations are hybrid nanostructures using conducting supporting materials. In this regard, anodic TiO₂ nanotubes are excellent photoactive supporting material providing a high surface area, unique directionality for the charge separation, and highly effective charge collection. Accordingly, we present anodic TiO₂ nanotubes homogenously decorated with MoS₂ and MoSe₂ nanosheets by atomic layer deposition (ALD). In particular, MoSe₂ was deposited using novel (CH₃Si)₂Se precursor. ALD was the deposition technique of choice as it is the only one enabling conformal coating and sub-nanometer thickness control. The synthesis of the nanotubular composites, their physical and electrochemical characterization, and encouraging results in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), photocatalysis, and Li-ion batteries will be presented and discussed.