LAUSR

P-N heterostructures based on TMDs and a conventional semiconductor, such as p-Si, have been considered a promising structure for next-generation electronic devices and applications. However, synthesis of high-quality, wafer-scale TMDs, particularly WS2 on p-Si, is challenging. Herein, we propose an efficient method to directly grow WS2 crystals on p-Si via a hybrid thermolysis process. The WO3 is deposited to prepare the p-Si surface for coating of the (NH4)2WS4 precursor and converted to WS2/p-Si during thermolysis. Moreover, the WS2/p-Si heterojunction photocathode is fabricated and used in solar hydrogen production. The fabricated n-WS2/p-Si heterojunction exhibited a benchmark current density of -9.8 ± 1.2 mA/cm2 at 0 V and an onset potential of +0.022 V. This method reliably and efficiently produced high-quality, wafer-scale WS2 crystals and overcame the challenges associated with previous approaches. The method developed herein represents a tremendous advancement in the fabrication of 2D electronic devices.