Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution via Pt@Au NRs/C₃N₄ Nanotubes under Visible‐Light Irradiation

Abstract

Au nanorods (NRs) decorated carbon nitride nanotubes (Au NRs/CNNTs) photocatalysts have been designed and prepared by impregnation-annealing approach. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of Au NRs can be adjusted by changing the aspect ratios, and the light absorption range of Au NRs/CNNTs is extended to longer wavelength even near-infrared light. Optimal composition of Pt@Au NR 769 /CNNT 650 has been achieved by adjusting the LSPR peaks of Au NRs and further depositing Pt nanoparticles (NPs), and the photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate is 207.0 µmol h −1 (20 mg catalyst). Preliminary LSPR enhancement photocatalytic mechanism is suggested. On one hand, LSPR of Au NRs is beneficial for visible-light utilization. On the other hand, Pt NPs and Au NRs have a synergetic enhancement effect on photocatalytic H 2 evolution of CNNTs, in which the local electromagnetic field can improve the photogenerated carrier separation and direct electron transfer increases the hot electron concentration while Au NRs as the electron channel can well restrain charge recombination, finally Pt as co-catalyst can boost H + reduction rate. This work provides a new way to develop efficient photocatalysts for splitting water, which can simultaneously extend light absorption range and facilitate carrier generation, transportation and reduce carrier recombination.

Boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production from water by photothermally induced biphase systems

“…An H 2 evolution rate of 16,600 μmol h −1 g −1 was reported on the Cu SAC-TiO 2 -Pt photocatalyst 52 . The optimized C 3 N 4 -based heterojunction photocatalysts, including GD-CN 53 , Pt-CNPS-NH 2 54 , V-CN 55 , and Pt@Au NRs/C 3 N 4 56 achieved an H 2 evolution rate of 23,060, 20,948, 13,600, and 10,350 μmol h −1 g −1 , respectively. In the reports involving vapor phase water, the photocatalytic hydrogen production rates were relatively low 12 , 57 , 58 , and the leader was 11,090 μmol h −1 g −1 based on the MoS x -TiO 2 hybrid 11 .…”

Surface Plasmonic‐Assisted Photocatalysis and Optoelectronic Devices with Noble Metal Nanocrystals: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

“…Similarly, the use of Au NR even further strengthened the local EMF to the infrared region. For instance, the optimal composition of Pt@Au NR 769 /CNNT 650 (graphitic carbon nitride) has been achieved by adjusting the LSPR peaks of the gold NRs and further depositing the Pt NPs, and the photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate was 207.0 µmol h −1 for 20 mg of catalyst …”

“…d) Hot electron injection, reproduced with permission 59a. Copyright 2014, Nature Publishing Group and e) localized electromagnetic‐enhanced photocatalytic process, reproduced with permission . Copyright 2019, Wiley‐VCH.…”

Carbon–Graphitic Carbon Nitride Hybrids for Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

“…[ 1–4 ] Currently, nonprecious metal‐free photocatalyst with remarkable activity is widely reckoned as an appealing one in photocatalytic energy conversion due to the sustained availability and economic adaptability. [ 5–8 ] Among them, g‐C 3 N 4 is characterized by its many excellent properties, such as thermodynamically suitability (≈600 °C), [ 9 ] moderate bandgap (≈2.7 eV), [ 10,11 ] van der Waals effect, [ 12–14 ] and high polymeric flexibility. [ 15,16 ] Moreover, owing to the common availability by using earth‐abundant carbon/nitrogen‐contained precursors (such as melamine, urea, cyanamide, and thiourea) through a thermal condensation process, g‐C 3 N 4 has been introduced as a significant metal‐free material in various photocatalytic applications.…”