Optimizing the Photoelectrocatalytic Performance of Ag NS@SiO2@Cu2O Nanocomposites Through Microstructural Tuning Based on the Plasmonic Induced Resonance Energy Transfer
Xiuqing Wang, Ruiyao Yan, Jianyu Fu, Yan He, Jiahuan Zheng, Liu Liu, Na Zhou
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The practical application of Cu2O in the field of photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) hydrogen production has been limited by its relatively low photoconversion efficiency and electron mobility. Plasmonic metal nanoparticles have been utilized to enhance the charge separation of semiconductors through resonance energy transfer from metal nanoparticles to semiconductors. In this study, Ag nanosphere (Ag NS)@SiO2 were combined with Cu2O to form triple core–shell nanocomposites, aiming to enhance the photoelectrochemical activity of Cu2O under visible-light irradiation. The microstructures of the Ag@SiO2@Cu2O nanocomposites were regulated by controlling the thickness of SiO2 interlay and Cu2O shell in order to optimize the PEC efficiency. It was found that Ag NS@SiO2 (5 nm)@Cu2O (29 nm) NCs exhibited the highest photocurrent intensity, showing 3.3 times, 11.9 times, and 17.8 times higher values than pure Cu2O, pure Ag NS, and AgNS@SiO2 NPs respectively. Furthermore, the photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production velocity of Ag NS@SiO2 (5 nm)@Cu2O (29 nm) NCs was around 25 mmol·g−1·h−1, which has been improved around 4.2 times compared to pure Cu2O. This enhanced performance is attributed to plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer from Ag metal nanoparticles to Cu2O semiconductor, which may improve the separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and lead higher photoelectrocatalytic efficiency.
Graphic Abstract
The Ag NS@SiO2 was integrated with Cu2O to form triple core–shell nanocomposites, aiming to enhance the photoelectrochemical activity of Cu2O under visible-light irradiation through plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer from Ag to Cu2O. And their photoelectrocatalytic performances were optimized by controlling the thickness of SiO2 interlay and Cu2O shell. Ag NS@SiO2 (5 nm)@Cu2O (29 nm) NCs exhibited superior photocurrent intensity and enhanced photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production rate compared to pure Cu2O.
期刊介绍：
Catalysis Letters aim is the rapid publication of outstanding and high-impact original research articles in catalysis. The scope of the journal covers a broad range of topics in all fields of both applied and theoretical catalysis, including heterogeneous, homogeneous and biocatalysis.
The high-quality original research articles published in Catalysis Letters are subject to rigorous peer review. Accepted papers are published online first and subsequently in print issues. All contributions must include a graphical abstract. Manuscripts should be written in English and the responsibility lies with the authors to ensure that they are grammatically and linguistically correct. Authors for whom English is not the working language are encouraged to consider using a professional language-editing service before submitting their manuscripts.
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