Assisting a Type-II Heterojunction with the LSPR Effect for Realizing Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Evolution with NIR Apparent Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 0.5%
Minghua Xu, Xiaowen Ruan, Malik Zeeshan Shahid, Dongxu Jiao, Chunsheng Ding, Chengxiang Huang, Lin Wang, Depeng Meng, Guozhen Fang, Xinlei Zhang, Jing Leng, Qijing Yang, Kaikai Ba, Tengfeng Xie, Xiaoqiang Cui
Abstract
Designing heterojunction catalysts for the production of hydrogen peroxide is a crucial strategy for advancing the field of artificial photosynthesis. However, conventional type-II heterojunction catalysts often face challenges of weak redox ability and the utilization of charge carriers. Herein, a distinct strategy is proposed that combines type-II heterojunctions with a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, thereby cooperatively enhancing the utilization of high-energy electrons through the hot electron injection process. The optimized catalyst MoO 3– x -ZnIn 2 S 4 (VMZS) exhibits H 2 O 2 production (47.2 μmol g –1 min –1 ) under simulated sunlight (AM1.5G, 100 mW cm –2 ) with a filter (λ > 350 nm) and an apparent quantum efficiency of 0.5% at 940 nm, significantly exceeding previously reported state-of-the-art catalysts. Moreover, the prepared film of VMZS enables a H 2 O 2 production rate of 338.1 μM h –1 . This work provides a new insight on designing heterojunction catalyst systems through the synergistic contribution of the type-II carrier transfer route and LSPR effect.