This project successfully synthesized MoS2 crystals by the hydrothermal method, then study the photocatalyst ability (water splitting) of hybrid structures between it and traditional metal oxide nanostructures (TiO2, ZnO, CuO) and Si, including (1) Synthesis of nano-thin (2D) MoS2 structures (2H-trigonal prismatic, and 3R-trigonal prismatic with three layers) containing many active centers, and quantum dots (0D, 1T-phase octahedral) that can manipulate the number of monolayers; (2) Investigate optical properties, generation/transmission carrier mechanism under light irradiation; (3) Study on the factors to enhance photoconversion efficiency of MoS2; (4)  Investigate the photocatalyst application (water splitting) of hybrid structure between MoS2 and metal oxides (CuO, ZnO, TiO2) and Si nanostructures.

Theoretical results:
- Deeply explain the principle, and mechanism of photovoltaic cells, and photoelectrochemical cells. Clarify the role of precursors that react during hydrothermal and hybridized processes of materials with MoS2.
- Elucidate carrier dynamic mechanism, the generation/ separation carriers under light illumination that improve the photoconversion efficiency of photoelectrochemical cell
- Assessing the factors that affect the active centers, optimizing synthesized conditions, and being able to control parameters that enhance the photocurrent density of devices
Applied results:
These products might be supplied for optoelectronics, photoelectrochemical, photocatalyst, and H2 evolution applications

- Synthesized successfully MoS2 crystals (2D, 0D) by hydrothermal method at below temperature of 200 oC, being able thickness, and high quality with many active sites
- Metal oxide (CuO, ZnO, TiO2) and Si nanosctrures have successfully been synthesized by hydrothermal, thermal annealing, and wet etching. The hybrid with MoS2, improves photoconversion efficiency up to 2 times, thereby publishing 02 ISI journals and 01 domestic journals
- Opening collaboration: For Vietnam sites (Institute for Tropical Technology, Institute of Materials Science, Institute of Physics, VAST), Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, Hanoi University of Industry, Hanoi National University of Education, and Duy Tan University. For International: Chungnam National University, and University of Science and Technology, South Korea.

International articles (ISI):

1. Enhancing Water Splitting Activity of Photocathode Using MoS2 Flakes Deposited on Copper Oxide Nanowire, Tran Huu Toan, Thanh Binh Dinh, Tien Dai Nguyen*, Thi Bich Vu, Dai Lam Tran, Tien Thanh Nguyen, Eui-Tae Kim,Surf. Interfaces, 27 (2021) 101466, ISSN: 2468-0230 DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2021.101466

2. MoS₂ hydrogen evolution catalysis on p-Si nanorod photocathodes, Tran Chien Dang, Van Thai Dang, Tien Dai Nguyen*, Thi Hien Truong, Minh Tan Man, Thi Thu Hien Bui, Thi Kim Chi Tran, Dai Lam Tran, Phuong Dung Truong, Cao Khang Nguyen, Viet Chien Nguyen, Dong-Bum Seo, Eui-Tae Kim, Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process, 121(2021) 105308, ISSN:1369-8001 DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2020.105308

Domestical articles:

1. Photoelectrochemical characteristics of hybrid structure between ZnO nanorods and MoS₂ monolayers, Bui Thi Thu Hien, Tran Thi Kim Chi, Nguyen Tien Thanh, Man Minh Tan, Nguyen Tien Dai*, Nguyen Manh Hung, Tran Đai Lam, Vu Thi Bich, Hue Univesity Journal of Science: Natural Sciences, 129 (1C), 15-22 (2020) ISSN: 1859-1388 DOI:10.26459/hueuni-jns.v129i1C.5710

We suggest that the uate University of Science and Technology (GUST), VAST, and the Department of Science and Technology, GUST continuously supports financial for our research group, which continusly develops postdoc’s project. These results are going to teach, and train high human resources for optoelectronic devices, photoelectrochemical, photocatalyst and environmental applications, and so on.