Facile transfer of surface plasmon electrons of Au-NPs to Zn3V2O8 surfaces: a case study of sunlight driven H-2 generation from water splitting

Key Words:HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION; PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION; RECENT PROGRESS; RESONANCE; PHOTOLUMINESCENCE; PERFORMANCE; TRANSITION; JUNCTION; O-2

Abstract:For future energy perspectives, an effective way to produce H-2 from water splitting is suggested using Zn3V2O8 photocatalyst as a semiconductor support. Further, to enhance the catalytic efficiency and stability of the catalyst, gold metal was deposited over the Zn3V2O8 surface by a chemical reduction method. For comparison, the Zn3V2O8 and gold-fabricated catalysts (i.e., Au@Zn3V2O8) were used for water splitting reactions. For structural and optical properties, various techniques, including XRD, UV-Vis DRS, FTIR, PL, Raman, SEM, EDX, XPS and EIS were used for the characterizations. The scanning electron microscope revealed the pebble-shaped morphology of the Zn3V2O8 catalyst. The FTIR and EDX results confirmed the purity and structural and elemental composition of the catalysts. Overall, 7.05 mmol g(-1) h(-1) H-2 generation was observed over Au-1.0@Zn3V2O8, which was ten times higher than bare Zn3V2O8. The results revealed that the higher H-2 activities could be attributed to the Schottky barriers and surface plasmon electrons (SPRs). Thus the Au@Zn3V2O8 catalysts have potential to deliver higher hydrogen generation than Zn3V2O8 by water splitting.

Volume:5

Issue:12

Translation or Not:no