Pulsed Laser Phosphorus Doping and Nanocomposite Catalysts Deposition in Forming a-MoSx/NP-Mo//n(+)p-Si Photocathodes for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production

Pulsed laser deposition of nanostructured molybdenum sulfide films creates specific nonequilibrium growth conditions, which improve the electrocatalytic properties of the films in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The enhanced catalytic performance of the amorphous a-MoSx (2 <= x <= 3) matrix is due to the synergistic effect of the Mo nanoparticles (Mo-NP) formed during the laser ablation of a MoS2 target. This work looks at the possibility of employing a-MoSx/NP-Mo films (4 and 20 nm thickness) to produce hydrogen by photo-stimulated HER using a p-Si cathode. A simple technique of pulsed laser p-Si doping with phosphorus was used to form an n(+)p-junction. Investigations of the energy band arrangement at the interface between a-MoSx/NP-Mo and n(+)-Si showed that the photo-HER on an a-MoSx/NP-Mo//n(+)p-Si photocathode with a 20 nm thick catalytic film proceeded according to a Z-scheme. The thickness of interfacial SiOy(P) nanolayer varied little in photo-HER without interfering with the effective electric current across the interface. The a-MoSx/NP-Mo//n(+)p-Si photocathode showed good long-term durability; its onset potential was 390 mV and photocurrent density was at 0 V was 28.7 mA/cm(2). The a-MoSx/NP-Mo//n(+)p-Si photocathodes and their laser-based production technique offer a promising pathway toward sustainable solar hydrogen production.