Au@Cu2O Core–Shell and Au@Cu2Se Yolk–Shell Nanocrystals as Promising Photocatalysts in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c07145
• Publication Date: 2022-08-30T13:24:20Z
• Authors: Ting-Hsuan Lai; Chun-Wen Tsao; Mei-Jing Fang; Jhen-Yang Wu; Yu-Peng Chang; Yi-Hsuan Chiu; Ping-Yen Hsieh; Ming-Yu Kuo; Kao-Der Chang; Yung-Jung Hsu
• Keywords: Photocurrent; Photocatalytic water splitting

In this work, we demonstrated the practical use of Au@Cu2O core-shell and Au@Cu2Se yolk-shell nanocrystals as photocatalysts in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) production. The samples were prepared by conducting a sequential ion-exchange reaction on nanocrystal template. displayed enhanced charge separation Au core yolk can attract photoexcited electrons from Cu2O Cu2Se shells. localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) Au, other hand, facilitate additional carrier generation for Cu2Se. Finite-difference time-domain simulations carried out to explore amplification electromagnetic field induced LSPR Au. transfer dynamics band alignment examined with time-resolved photoluminescence ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. As result improved interfacial transfer, exhibited substantially larger photocurrent reduction higher activity H2 production than corresponding pure counterpart samples. Incident photon-to-current efficiency measurements conducted evaluate contribution plasmonic effect photoactivity. Relative Au@Cu2O, was more suited PEC virtue structural advantages architectures. demonstrations present work may shed light rational design sophisticated metal-semiconductor nanocrystals, especially those comprising metal selenides, superior applications.