Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation by optimized plasmonic hot electron injection in structure-adjustable au-zno hybrids

Abstract

Plasmonic Au-ZnO hybrids with adjustable structures (including Au-decorated ZnO and core–shell Au@ZnO with dense and porous ZnO shells) and the optimized hot electron-driven photocatalytic activity were successfully prepared. It was found that the Au@ZnO core–shell hybrids with porous morphology had the highest plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity under visible light irradiation. The wavelength-dependent photocatalytic tests verified that Au@ZnO with porous ZnO shells had the highest apparent quantum efficiency upon resonance excitation. The ultrafast transient absorption measurements revealed that Au@ZnO with porous ZnO shells had the fastest plasmon-induced hot electron injection, which was thought to be the reason for the improved photocatalytic activity. This work might provide a promising route to designing photocatalytic and photoelectric materials.