Photocatalytic properties of MoS2 nanoflakes vertically assembled on reduced graphene oxide

Highlights: • Composite film of MoS₂ nanoflakes vertically assembled on reduced graphene. • Best rGO-to-MoS₂ ratio in the composite established. • Significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity achieved. -- Abstract: Uniform two-dimensional MoS₂ nanoflakes were vertically assembled on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (MoS₂/rGO composite film) via a hydrothermal process. The structure, morphology and optical properties of MoS₂/rGO composite were studied. It is demonstrated that photocatalytic activity of the composite films for the degradation of methylene blue in the visible light range is much higher than that of isolated MoS₂ and rGO. This is associated with an efficient transfer and a rapid separation of photogenerated electrons and holes at the heterojunction between MoS₂ nanoflakes and rGO film.