Abstract
Highly (001)-textured tungsten diselenide WSe2 thin films are crystallized from X-ray amorphous WSex films with Pd-promotion in an H2Se atmosphere. During the crystallization process, the liquid promoter PdSex is driven to the grain boundaries due to the lateral growth of WSe2 platelets and their coalescence. The photoactivity of the WSe2 films is limited by the PdSex crystallites at the grain boundaries of WSe2 platelets. The presence of the PdSex crystallites leads to a metal like behavior of the conductivity versus temperature, whereas their etching leads to a semiconducting behavior of the WSe2 film. After selective etching of these crystallites, the more active WSe2 sites (edges, cavities) are exposed, enhancing the electron transfer to the electrolyte. A photocurrent density of 2 mA cm−2 at 0.35 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) is observed in sulfuric acid (0.5 M H2SO4) using Fe2+/Fe3+ as redox pair under 1 sun (Air Mass (AM) 1.5, 100 mW cm−2) illumination.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
