In Operando Photoswitching of Cu Oxidation States in Cu-Based Plasmonic Heterogeneous Photocatalysis for Efficient H₂ Evolution

Abstract

Metal nanoparticles (NP) supported on TiO 2 are known to be efficient photocatalysts for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. While TiO 2 decorated with copper NPs has the potential to become an attractive system, the poor oxidative stability of Cu severely limits its applicability. In this work, we demonstrate that, when Cu NPs supported on TiO 2 nanobelts (NBs) are engaged in the photocatalytic generation of H 2 from water under light illumination, Cu is not only oxidized in CuO but also dissolved under the form of Cu + /Cu 2+ ions, leading to a continuous reconstruction of nanoparticles via Ostwald ripening. By nanoencapsulating the CuO x (Cu/CuO/Cu 2 O) NPs by a few layers of carbon supported on TiO 2 (TC@C), Ostwald ripening can be suppressed. Simultaneously, the resulting CuO x @C NPs are photoreduced under light illumination to generate Cu@C NPs. This photoswitching strategy allows the preparation of a Cu plasmonic photocatalyst with enhanced activity for H 2 production. Remarkably, the photocatalyst is even active when illuminated with visible light, indicating a clear plasmonic enhancement of photocatalytic activity from the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect of Cu NPs. Three-dimensional electromagnetic wavefrequency domain (3D-EWFD) simulations were conducted to confirm the SPR enhancement. This advance bodes for the development of scalable multifunctional Cu-based plasmonic photocatalysts for solar energy transfer.

Architecture Dictates the Activity of Hollow TiO2 Nanospheres in Photocatalytic Solar Energy Conversion

“…The evolved hydrogen and oxygen gas were automatically collected every 15 min and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with a special PED detector (Compact-LDP1000 Noble Gases purifier, Quebec, Canada). The H 2 production value was calculated from the peak area (ppm) and carrier gas flow rate after 220 min of reaction so that a steady state was reached. Details for photocatalytic activity measurements for N 2 photoreduction and methylene blue photodegradation can be found in the Supporting Information.…”

“…Extensive research into morphology engineering, notably via the tuning of shape and size, − cocatalyst deposition, − and the exposure of high-energy facets , has resulted in the development of highly active photocatalysts. Such intricate morphologies can provide increased surface areas and more active sites, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activities.…”