Fabrication of a WS₂/p-Si Heterostructure Photocathode Using Direct Hybrid Thermolysis

Abstract

P–N heterostructures based on transition-metal dichelcongenides (TMDs) and a conventional semiconductor, such as p-Si, have been considered a promising structure for next-generation electronic devices and applications. However, synthesis of high-quality, wafer-scale TMDs, particularly WS2 on p-Si, is challenging. Herein, we propose an efficient method to directly grow WS2 crystals on p-Si via a hybrid thermolysis process. The WO3 is deposited to prepare the p-Si surface for coating of the (NH4)2WS4 precursor and converted to WS2/p-Si during thermolysis. Moreover, the WS2/p-Si heterojunction photocathode is fabricated and used in solar hydrogen production. The fabricated n-WS2/p-Si heterojunction provided an onset potential of +0.022 V at 10 mA/cm2 and a benchmark current density of −9.8 ± 1.2 mA/cm2 at 0 V. This method reliably and efficiently produced high-quality, wafer-scale WS2 crystals and overcame the challenges associated with previous approaches. The approach developed in this research demonstrates a magnificent progress in the fabrication of 2D material-based electronic devices.

Substrate-controlled dynamics of spin qubits in low dimensional van der Waals materials

“…Hence the nuclear spin-induced decoherence in WS 2 is an order of magnitude slower than in MoS 2 , and the increase in coherence time with reduced dimensionality becomes more significant: T mono 2 = 38 ms, 3 Next, we investigate how coherence times vary when MoS 2 and WS 2 are deposited on a substrate. We consider Au (111), Si (111) and SiO 2 (ideal siloxane-terminated surface) [38][39][40][41] . These substrates have been used in spectroscopic measurements 39 , and applications of 2DMs in catalysis 38,40 and electronics 41 .…”

“…We consider Au (111), Si (111) and SiO 2 (ideal siloxane-terminated surface) [38][39][40][41] . These substrates have been used in spectroscopic measurements 39 , and applications of 2DMs in catalysis 38,40 and electronics 41 . We neglect the reconstruction of the surface of the substrate and we assume that the quadrupole couplings are the same as those of the pristine material in vacuum.…”

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.…”

C‐doped SnO 2 nanostructure/ MoS 2 / p‐Si electrodes for visible light‐driven photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction

“…19 In general, in solar-driven photocatalytic H 2 production, a semiconductor combination, such as a p-n type semiconductor-based heterogeneous structure, provides superior H 2 production. 20 Furthermore, MoS 2 is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which facilitates large-scale production, uniform coating, and high-quality structures. Moreover, the CVD method can resolve the oxidation issue of the p-type semiconductor substrate, p-Si.…”