Single-layer MoS2 as an efficient photocatalyst

Abstract

The potential application of the single-layer MoS2 as photocatalyst was revealed in this work based on first-principles calculations. It is found that the pristine single-layer MoS2 is a good candidate for photocatalyst, and its catalyzing ability can be tuned by the applied mechanical strain. Furthermore, the p-type doping could improve the catalyzing ability more efficiently: first, the p-type doping makes the direct transition of electron from valence band maximum (VBM) to conduction band minimum (CBM) viable; second, it separates the water splitting reaction sites by having reduction in Mo sites and oxidation in P dopant sites; third, it improves the efficiency by equalizing the reducing power {\Delta}1 and oxidizing power {\Delta}2, as well as by enhancing the light absorption in long wavelength end of the visible light. Thus enables the single-layer MoS2 to be a efficient visible-light photocatalyst.