CTAB-assisted synthesis of novel ultrathin MoSe2 nanosheets perpendicular to graphene for the adsorption and photodegradation of organic dyes under visible light

Abstract

A novel nanostructure of perpendicular ultrathin MoSe₂ nanosheets directly grown on graphene was produced by a facile hydrothermal method in the presence of CTAB. The vertically-oriented and ultrathin MoSe₂ nanosheets distribute uniformly on the surface of graphene, and the nanosheets are typically 2–3 layers, which is confirmed by TEM and red shift of the A_1g Raman peak. In comparison with pure MoSe₂ and MoSe₂ nanospheres on graphene, vertically oriented MoSe₂ nanosheets on graphene show enhanced organic dye adsorption ability and photocatalytic performance in the degradation of MB, RhB and MO under dark conditions and visible light irradiation. The excellent photocatalytic activity may be contributed by the unique perpendicular MoSe₂ nanosheets with fully exposed active edges and hybridized with graphene for reduced electron–hole pair recombination.