In Situ Growth of Metallic 1T-MoS₂ on TiO₂ Nanotubes with Improved Photocatalytic Performance

1T-MoS₂ is in situ grown on TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) using a hydrothermal method, forming a 1T-MoS₂@TNTs composite, which is confirmed by its physical characterization. The prepared composites show enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride under visible light, and the improved photocatalytic activity is closely related to the loaded amount of 1T-MoS₂. Therein, 0.5 wt % 1T-MoS₂@TNTs can degrade 57% in 1 h, which is the highest photocatalytic efficiency observed in experiments so far. It is speculated that the introduction of 1T-MoS₂ may optimize light absorption and charge separation/transport. The active species are identified and the reaction mechanism is proposed here.