Localized surface plasmon resonance effect in S-scheme photocatalyst

An emerging ZnO/CuInS₂ S-scheme heterojunction enables the transformation of ZnO, originally limited to ultraviolet light absorption, into a composite with a strong near-infrared response. The charge transfer from the p-type semiconductor CuInS₂ to the n-type semiconductor ZnO leads to an increased hole concentration in the CuInS₂ quantum dots at the heterojunction interface. Consequently, this enhancement not only amplifies the localized surface plasmon resonance effect but also enhances the near-infrared light absorption of CuInS₂ quantum dots. This strategy effectively addresses common light response challenges, advancing the overarching objective of utilizing the full solar spectrum.