One-pot synthesis of MoSe2 hetero-dimensional hybrid self-assembled by nanodots and nanosheets for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and photothermal therapy

Abstract

We designed and prepared a hetero-dimensional hybrid (HDH) based on molybdenum selenide (MoSe2) nanodots (NDs) anchored in few-layer MoSe2 nanosheets (NSs) (MoSe2 HDH) via a one-pot hydrothermal process. The MoSe2 HDH exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This is because, on the one hand, the edge-abundant features of MoSe2 NDs and the unique defect-rich structure at the interface of MoSe2 NSs/NDs could bring in more active sites for HER; on the other hand, the random stacking of the flake-like MoSe2 NSs on the surface of the supporting electrode may achieve efficient charge transport. Additionally, the MoSe2 HDH shows good water stability, desirable biocompatibility, and high near infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion efficiency. Therefore, the MoSe2 HDH is investigated as a nanomedicine in NIR photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancer. Specifically, the MoSe2 HDH can be applied as a dual-modal probe for computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic tomography (PA) imaging owing to its strong X-ray attenuation ability and NIR absorption. Therefore, the MoSe2 HDH, combining PTT with CT/PA imaging into one system, holds great potential for imaging-guided cancer theranostics. This work may provide an ingenious strategy to prepare other hetero-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenides.