Photocatalytic properties of two-dimensional graphene and layered transition-metal dichalcogenides based photocatalyst for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation: An overview

Abstract

Hydrogen production through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting process has drawn significant research attention because it is a promising clean source of energy for improving earth climate in the future. Two-dimensional (2D) graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), as the core of the system, have become versatile materials for the development of photocatalyst due to their distinct optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. TMDCs have received significant consideration because of low-cost and earth-abundant catalysts that can replace noble metals, such as Pt. Therefore, comprehensive discussions on the structure and properties of 2D graphene and layered TMDCs materials are presented. We also gather and review various fabrication methods for TMDCs-based and graphene-TMDCs-based photocatalysts that can affect the PEC performance and hydrogen evolution. The inherent limitations and several future trends on 2D graphene and layered TMDCs-based photocatalyst for PEC water-splitting application are also discussed.