Au-based heterostructure composites for photo and electro catalytic energy conversions

Abstract

In recent decades, the innovative green technologies of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis have been urgently developed for energy as well as environmental concerns. In photocatalysis, traditional semiconductors exhibit minor visible light absorption that shows poor photocatalytic performance. The plasmonic gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have superior absorption cross-sections for visible light by means of localized SPR excitation, which emit hot charge carriers and then vastly improve the photocatalytic activity in the wide applications of dye decomposition, organic synthesis, water splitting, N2 fixation, CO2 reduction. Regarding to electrocatalytic energy conversion, Au-based nanocomposites possess versatility and high stability (e.g., high resistance to CO poisoning). Thus, nanogold electrocatalysts reveal outstanding performances in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). This Review summarizes the progress in utilizing plasmonic gold NPs for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic energy conversions. The activity of size-dependent and metal structures,the fundamental understanding of molecular activation and catalytic mechanisms are also discussed in detail. Future efforts are expected to achieve new promising catalysts to encounter the prerequisite of industrial and extensive practical applications.