Boosting electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution by plasmon-driven hot-electron excitation.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting are key for renewable energy storage.
• Developing high-performance catalysts is crucial for efficient water splitting.
• Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) show potential as catalysts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) on Au nanoparticles for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
• To enhance HER efficiency using porous N-doped carbon supported Au nanoparticles.
• To explore light-assisted catalytic water splitting systems.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of porous N-doped carbon supported Au nanoparticles.
• Electrocatalytic testing for HER under illumination.
• Characterization of catalyst properties and charge transfer mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Photon-induced LSPR excitation on Au nanoparticles dramatically improved HER.
• Achieved a >4-fold increase in current density.
• Reduced overpotential to 99 mV at 10 mA cm⁻².
• N-doped carbon facilitated efficient charge transfer from plasmonic Au NPs.

Conclusions:

• Plasmonic excitation significantly enhances HER catalysis efficiency.
• N-doped carbon supports improve charge injection from Au NPs.
• This approach offers new strategies for designing light-assisted water splitting systems.