Recent progress on Janus MoSSe for photocatalytic applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Janus MoSSe is a 2D material with potential for photocatalytic water splitting due to its dipole moment and charge separation.
• Pristine MoSSe has limitations for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), necessitating structural and chemical modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in engineering Janus MoSSe for improved photocatalytic water splitting.
• To explore how various modifications influence key physical descriptors for catalytic performance.

Main Methods:

• Review of defect chemistry, transition-metal functionalization, doping, curvature, and van der Waals heterostructures.
• Analysis of alterations in dipole moments, band alignment, carrier lifetimes, and water adsorption energies.
• Theoretical and experimental validation of MoSSe-based heterostructures.

Main Results:

• Janus MoSSe becomes effective for water splitting when combined with OER-active materials.
• Heterostructures with 2D materials like WS2, black phosphorus, GaN, and AlN fulfill both redox requirements for water splitting.
• The MoSSe/GaN system demonstrates enhanced spin splitting and magnetic-field effects on charge dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Engineering Janus-based heterostructures is crucial for optimizing photocatalytic water splitting under visible light.
• Combining MoSSe with suitable 2D partners creates efficient photocatalysts by complementing their electronic properties.
• The study provides a design roadmap for developing advanced Janus-based photocatalytic systems.