RETRACTED: Tin diselenide nanoflakes decorated hierarchical 1D TiO2 fiber: A robust and highly efficient co-catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Abstract Transitional metal dichalcogenide two-dimensional materials have revealed many astonishing properties including as a substitution of noble metals as a co-catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. Tin diselenide (SnSe2) is the one who also received substantial consideration in many fields due to low cost, earth-abundant and environment-friendly. However, the great challenge to make heterojunction with other semiconductor material to improve its efficiency for photocatalytic water splitting. For this purpose, we have prepared a 1D nanofiber of TiO2 by electrospinning and produced a needle-like structure on the fiber by following the alkali hydrothermal method. The chemical vapor deposition method (CVD) was adopted to load nanoflakes of SnSe2 on the branched fiber of TiO2 and make a strong heterojunction. The composite interpreted excellent photocatalytic performance by producing hydrogen about 0.95 mmol g−1 h−1 in comparison with branched TiO2 (0.47 mmol g−1 h−1) and conventional TiO2 fiber (0.35 mmol g−1 h−1). The photoluminescence, time decay fluorescent spectra and photoelectrochemical results ratified that SnSe2 not only reduces the charge recombination by increasing the transfer of electron but also provides the active site for hydrogen production as a cocatalyst. This study presents an inexpensive and environmentally friendly photocatalyst for hydrogen production without the use of noble metals.