Photo-reduction synthesis of Cu nanoparticles as plasmon-driven non-semiconductor photocatalyst for overall water splitting

Abstract

Plasmon-induced photo-electron generated from the surface plasmon resonance effect in metal nanoparticles has attracted tremendous interest in photocatalysis. However, semiconductors are still leading role and plasmonic metal nanoparticles are just co-catalysts in photocatalytic system. Herein, we demonstrate that an alternative pathway via constructing single Cu nanoparticles is available for robust photocatalytic overall water splitting under full-spectrum irradiation. Plasmonic Cu nanoparticles are prepared using a photo-reduction method, and identified by X-ray diffraction patterns and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Importantly, the photocatalyst exhibits a stable and high activity for O2 and H2 evolution in four consecutive runs. Our findings may provide a new strategy to develop the plasmon photocatalytic system and offer opportunities for extending the non-semiconductor photocatalysts field.