Recent Progress in Constructing Plasmonic Metal/Semiconductor Hetero-Nanostructures for Improved Photocatalysis

Abstract

Hetero-nanomaterials constructed by plasmonic metals and functional semiconductors show enormous potential in photocatalytic applications, such as in hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and treatment of pollutants. Their photocatalytic performances can be better regulated through adjusting structure, composition, and components’ arrangement. Therefore, the reasonable design and synthesis of metal/semiconductor hetero-nanostructures is of vital significance. In this mini-review, we laconically summarize the recent progress in efficiently establishing metal/semiconductor nanomaterials for improved photocatalysis. The defined photocatalysts mainly include traditional binary hybrids, ternary multi-metals/semiconductor, and metal/multi-semiconductors heterojunctions. The underlying physical mechanism for the enhanced photocatalysis of the established photocatalysts is highlighted. In the end, a brief summary and possible future perspectives for further development in this field are demonstrated.

Anisotropic Au-ZnO photocatalyst for the visible-light expanded oxidation of n-hexane

“…In this regard, the coupling of metal-semiconductor heterostructures has become a promising strategy to generate new photocatalysts since metal nanoparticles such as gold, silver, copper or aluminum can expand the light absorption range of semiconductors [26,28,[35][36][37][38][39]. Likewise, these metallic nanostructures can greatly enhance the photocatalytic activity of regular semiconductors given their plasmonic properties that facilitate the effective transport of hot carriers (i.e.…”

“…Likewise, these metallic nanostructures can greatly enhance the photocatalytic activity of regular semiconductors given their plasmonic properties that facilitate the effective transport of hot carriers (i.e. hot electrons or hot holes) [26][27][28][29][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]. Another important topic of interest is currently devoted to the search for valid alternatives to TiO2 as semiconductor photocatalytic supports.…”

Electromagnetic Effective Medium Modelling of Composites with Metal-Semiconductor Core-Shell Type Inclusions

“…A lot of effort has been invested in the synthesis and design of metal-semiconductor photocatalysts. This includes choosing both the semiconductor and metal, and the configuration of the systems (size, shape, interface design, ...) [2,4]. Nanostructuring the metal-semiconductor system into nanoparticles has been widely studied as a way to boost the photocatalytic performance by increasing the surface-to-volume ratios.…”

“…Nanostructuring the metal-semiconductor system into nanoparticles has been widely studied as a way to boost the photocatalytic performance by increasing the surface-to-volume ratios. The synthesis of large variety of metal-semiconductor NPs has been reported in the literature e.g., metal-semiconductor core-shell NPs or semiconductor NPs with their surfaces decorated with metal inclusions [4,5]. Specifically, core-shell nanostruxctures present special advantages for photocatalytic reactions such as protecting the metal and enlarging the active sites [4].…”

“…The synthesis of large variety of metal-semiconductor NPs has been reported in the literature e.g., metal-semiconductor core-shell NPs or semiconductor NPs with their surfaces decorated with metal inclusions [4,5]. Specifically, core-shell nanostruxctures present special advantages for photocatalytic reactions such as protecting the metal and enlarging the active sites [4]. These NP systems are usually supported in a host matrix or solvent.…”