Ultrathin nanosheets of palladium in boosting its cocatalyst role and plasmonic effect towards enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Issue 62 (14th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Yuzhen; Xu, Zaixiang; Jiang, Wenya; Yin, Wenjie; Zhong, Shuxian; Gong, Peijun; Qiao, Ru; Li, Zhengquan; Bai, Song
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 62(2016)
• Page Start: 56800
• Page End: 56806
• Publication Date: 2016-06-14
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra09647f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Large surface area for catalytic reaction/light absorption and large interfacial area with semiconductor for charge transfer highlight the ultrathin metal nanosheets as ideal cocatalyst and plasmonic agent in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Abstract : The combination of a metal with a semiconductor is a promising route to improve the solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of photocatalysts. In this article, ultrathin Pd nanosheets are integrated with semiconductor TiO2 nanosheets for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, which acts as a cocatalyst and plasmonic agent in ultraviolet and visible-near-infrared spectral regions, respectively. Owing to the unique two-dimensional (2D) nanostructure, the Pd nanosheet cocatalyst realizes the large TiO2 –Pd interfacial area for electron transfer as well as a large Pd exposed area for reduction reactions, while the plasmonic Pd nanosheets offer strong vis-NIR light absorption for "hot" electron production as well as a large interfacial area for "hot" electron injection. As a result, the Pd nanosheets achieve improved photocatalytic activity in comparison with three-dimensional Pd nanotetrahedrons under both light irradiations. This work underlines the importance in choosing a suitable shape of metal in the surface and interface design of semiconductor–metal hybrid photocatalysts as well as the advantages of 2D metal nanostructures in realizing high photocatalytic performance.