MULTI-LAYERED WATER-SPLITTING PHOTOCATALYST HAVING A PLASMONIC METAL LAYER WITH OPTIMIZED PLASMONIC EFFECTS

摘要

Photocatalysts and methods of using the same for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water are disclosed. The photocatalysts include a photoactive layer having a thickness of 10 nanometers (nm) to 1000 nm and a plasmonic metal layer having a thickness of 2 nm to 20 nm and having surface plasmon resonance properties in response to ultra-violet and/or visible light, wherein the plasmonic metal layer is positioned proximal to the photoactive layer.