Bio-inspired high-efficiency photosystem by synergistic effects of core-shell structured Au@CdS nanoparticles and their engineered location on {001} facets of SrTiO3 nanocrystals

Abstract

Natural photosynthesis, which provides a green and high-efficiency energy conversion path by spatial separation of photogenerated carriers through combined actions of molecules ingeniously arranged in an efficient solar nanospace, highlights the importance of rational nanostructure design to realize artificial high-efficiency photosystem. Inspired by these unique features, we constructed a high-efficiency ternary photosystem by selectively decorating the {001} facets of 18-facet SrTiO 3 with Au@CdS photosensitizers via a green photo-assisted method. Benefiting from the dual-facilitated charge carriers transportation in core-shell structured Au@CdS heterojunction and well-faceted 18-facet SrTiO 3 nanocrystal, such a photocatalyst could realize the effective spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. As expected, the 18-facet SrTiO 3 /Au@CdS photocatalyst exhibits superior activity in visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (4.61 mmol h −1 g −1 ), 166% improvement in comparison with randomly deposited Au@CdS (1.73 mmol h −1 g −1 ). This work offers new insight into the development of green and high-efficiency photocatalytic systems based on the rational nanostructure design by crystal facet engineering.