Surface plasmon resonance enhanced light absorption of Au decorated composition-tuned ZnO/Zn_xCd_(1-x)Se_yTe_(1-y) core/shell nanowires for efficient H_2 production

摘要

Efficient solar-to-hydrogen photoelectrodes need harvest sunlight to capacity and improve the separation efficiency of charge carriers for chemical reactions in water. Herein, we demonstrate the merits of type-Ⅱ heterostructures with component controllable quaternary shells (Zn_xCd_(1-x)Se_yTe_(1-y)) and the surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticles to satisfy photocatalytic requirements. Our ZnO/Zn_xCd_(1-x)Se_yTe_(1-y)/Au nanostructures display a broad absorption edge from UV to NIR (Near Infrared) and high charge separation efficiency. The finite element method simulation and UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy confirm the enhanced absorption of visible light. Furthermore, these ZnO/Zn_xCd_(1-x)Se_yTe_(1-y)/Au heterostructures show remarkable hydrogen-production ability from water, suggesting a type of photocatalytic paradigm for H_2 production.