An efficient inverse opal (IO)-TiO2-MoO3-x for photocatalytic H2 evolution and RhB degradation – The synergy effect of IO structure and plasmonic MoO3-x

Abstract

In this paper, we designed an inverse opal (IO)-TiO2-MoO3-x to explore whether IO structure and LSPR (local surface plasmon resonance) material could contribute to a synergy effect for enhancing photoelectrical properties and photoactivity of catalysts, which has never been reported before. Combined IO structure and plasmon material (MoO3-x) is found to show much higher light capture capability and carrier separation and transfer efficiency than those with single control factor, which could enhance photocatalyst activity of RhB degradation and H2 evolution significantly. The mechanisms for such synergy effect were investigated in depth. Comparing with non-plasmonic IO-TiO2-MoO3, the type II heterojunction, the more abundant oxygen vacancies and Mo5+, and the high-energy “hot electron” of plasmonic MoO3-x are believe to account for the high photoelectrical properties and high activity of IO-TiO2-MoO3-x. Comparing with bulk-TiO2-MoO3-x, the introduction of IO structure brings into substantial higher light capture capability and carrier separation and transfer efficiency.