Plasmon-enhanced solar water splitting with metal oxide nanostructures: A brief overview of recent trends

doi:10.1007/s11706-018-0413-4

Front. Mater. Sci.

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (3) : 207-213 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-018-0413-4

MINI-REVIEW

Plasmon-enhanced solar water splitting with metal oxide nanostructures: A brief overview of recent trends

Timur Sh. ATABAEV(

)

Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan

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Abstract

In the last decade, the surface plasmon resonance-enhanced solar water splitting (SWS) has been actively investigated for improved hydrogen production. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce the mechanisms for plasmon-enhanced SWS and then review some representative studies related to these mechanisms. In addition, we also briefly discuss how metal oxide geometry affects the SWS activity in combined metal--semiconductor nanostructures. Finally, we summarize the recent discoveries and proposed a future vision for plasmon-enhanced SWS with metal oxide nanostructures.

Keywords surface plasmon resonance solar water splitting nanostructures noble metals metal oxides

Corresponding Author(s): Timur Sh. ATABAEV

Online First Date: 30 July 2018 Issue Date: 10 September 2018

Cite this article:

Timur Sh. ATABAEV. Plasmon-enhanced solar water splitting with metal oxide nanostructures: A brief overview of recent trends[J]. Front. Mater. Sci., 2018, 12(3): 207-213.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/10.1007/s11706-018-0413-4
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/EN/Y2018/V12/I3/207

Fig.1 Number of published papers according to the Scopus search (topic “solar water splitting”).

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of a photoelectrochemical cell. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [³].

Fig.3 Schematic band edge positions of some semiconductors relative to NHE and the vacuum level. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [⁷].

Fig.4 Localized surface plasmon of a spherical metallic nanoparticle. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [²¹].

Fig.5 Absorption spectra of different sized gold nanoparticles. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [²⁴].

Fig.6 Simulated electric field intensity plot for bare TiO₂ photoelectrode, TiO₂ with Au nanoparticles, and TiO₂ with Au nanorods. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [³⁷].

Fig.7 Structure of 3D dendritic TiO₂ arrays decorated with Au nanoparticles and hot electron injection mechanism from Au to TiO₂. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [⁴⁶].

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