Self-assembled 2D WSe2 thin films for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.

ABSTRACT: WSe2--a layered semiconductor that can be exfoliated into atomically thin two-dimensional sheets--offers promising characteristics for application in solar energy conversion. However, the lack of controllable, cost-effective methods to scalably fabricate homogeneous thin films currently limits practical application. Here we present a technique to prepare controlled thin films of 2D WSe2 from dispersions of solvent-exfoliated few-layer flakes. Flake self-assembly at a liquid/liquid interface (formed exceptionally from two non-solvents for WSe2) followed by substrate transfer affords large-area thin films with superior 2D flake alignment compared with traditional (liquid/air) self-assembly techniques. We further demonstrate, for the first time, solar-to-hydrogen conversion from solution-proc

SUBMITTER: Yu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4506493 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature