Atomic‐Level Regulated 2D ReSe₂: A Universal Platform Boostin Photocatalysis

Abstract

Solar hydrogen (H2) generation via photocatalytic water splitting is practically promising, environmentally benign, and sustainably carbon neutral. It is important therefore to understand how to controllably engineer photocatalysts at the atomic level. In this work, atomic‐level engineering of defected ReSe2 nanosheets (NSs) is reported to significantly boost photocatalytic H2 evolution on various semiconductor photocatalysts including TiO2, CdS, ZnIn2S4, and C3N4. Advanced characterizations, such as atomic‐resolution aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC‐STEM), synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transient‐state surface photovoltage (SPV) spectroscopy, and transient‐state photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, together with theoretical computations confirm that the strongly coupled ReSe2/TiO2 interface and substantial atomic‐level active sites of defected ReSe2 NSs result in the significantly raised activity of ReSe2/TiO2. This work not only for the first time realizes the atomic‐level engineering of ReSe2 NSs as a versatile platform to significantly raise the activities on different photocatalysts, but, more importantly, underscores the immense importance of atomic‐level synthesis and exploration on 2D materials for energy conversion and storage.

Photocatalytic Applications of ReS2-Based Heterostructures

“…In another 2D/2D heterostructure, the cocatalyst ReS 2 with abundant active sites is strongly anchored on the TiO 2 by the chemical interaction of the Ti–S bond, and the established intimate interfacial contact facilitates efficient carrier transfer across the interface [ 103 ]. Recently, the strongly coupled interface between atomic-level regulated ReSe 2 and various semiconductor photocatalysts and the abundant Re/Se active sites have been demonstrated to boost the performance for photocatalytic H 2 evolution [ 110 ].…”

Carbon‐Dot‐Mediated Highly Efficient Visible‐Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Coupled with Organic Oxidation

“…[13] Based on the more profound understanding of the charge separation processes, strategies including interplane heterojunctions and space-separated deposition of cocatalysts have been developed with large progress on high-efficiency hydrogen production. [14][15][16] Even so, the efficiency of these catalysts is still largely restricted in the visible range and there is a weak correlation between the charge separation and the subsequent surface reactions. For various photocatalysts of PHECOO, the charge kinetics and reaction mechanism are even more challenging with the involvement of various organic substrates.…”

Two-dimensional ReSe2 nanosheets as a high-performance photocatalyst

“…For instance, in their recently published work, Ran et al claimed the first report of the synthesis of 2D ReSe 2 nanosheets with in situ generated edge defects via sonication-assisted liquid exfoliation. 48 In this report, the authors used ReSe 2 nanosheets (NSs) as a universal template and coupled them with various semiconductor photocatalysts, such as TiO 2 , ZnIn 2 S 4 , CdS, and C 3 N 4 , to observe the enhanced photocatalytic evolution of H 2 .…”