Direct synthesis of two-dimensional MoS2 on p-type Si and application to solar hydrogen production

Abstract

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising two-dimensional (2D) materials, and MoS 2 has been specifically utilized in electronic devices and integrated circuits. However, the direct synthesis of MoS 2 on traditional semiconductors, such as silicon, remains challenging due to the hydrophobic surface of nonoxide wafers (e.g., Si, GaAs, and InP). Herein, a novel, facile, reliable, and one-step method for the direct synthesis of single-crystal MoS 2 on a p-Si wafer via hybrid thermolysis is proposed. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, a MoS 2 /p-Si heterojunction was fabricated and used for solar-driven hydrogen production. The as-fabricated n-MoS 2 /p-Si heterojunction exhibited a benchmark current density of −13.5 ± 1 mA/cm 2 at 0 V and an onset potential of +0.02 V. This method reliably and efficiently produced high-quality MoS 2 crystals on a wafer scale and is sufficiently simple to overcome the challenges associated with previous approaches. The method developed herein represents a tremendous advancement in the fabrication of 2D electronic devices.

Thickness-dependent photoelectric properties of MoS2/Si heterostructure solar cells

“…Thus, it is meaningful to realize the integration of MoS 2 on Si to develop practically applicable solar cells. Currently, some observations have shown that the novel photoelectric properties of MoS 2 /Si 11–14 . For example, Tsai et al .…”

“…It should be noted that there are some types of procedures for fabrication of MoS 2 /Si heterostructure, such as the synthesis of MoS 2 and subsequent transfer to Si substrate or direct growth of MoS 2 on Si, etc 11–14 . The large difference of lattice structure would lead to alternating compressive and tensile strains at the interface, resulting different electronic structure and physical properties 30–33 .…”

Recent advances in two‐dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides as photoelectrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

“…More recently, Hasani et al reported the direct synthesis of MoS 2 and WS 2 on p-Si by a CVD process, thus solving the major problem of reproducibility in Kwon's work. 97,98 These results indicate that p-Si is an important combination for boosting the efficiency of 2D-TMDs toward a high-efficiency PEC-HER.…”

Synthesis of Large-Scale Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Their Commercialization

“…4(f)]. Hasani et al [40] demonstrated a solar-driven HER sensor having a heterojunction formed by thermally decomposed n-type MoS 2 on a p-type Si. This sensor shows the highest catalytic activity with the lowest Tafel slope of 65 mV dec -1 , when an appropriate MoS 2 thin-film thickness (16.8 nm) is used.…”