Synthesis of gold nanorod@Pd(Pt)-Cu₂O dendritic nanocomposites for plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis

Combining noble metal nanoparticles with electron acceptors, such as semiconductors or non-plasmonic metals, significantly enhances photocatalytic performance. However, optimizing multi-material combinations for superior catalytic efficiency remains challenging. In this study, we present a method for synthesizing composite structures by reducing Cu²⁺ ions with hydrazine hydrate, forming gold nanorods (AuNRs) decorated with dendritic Cu₂O shells. The influence of CTAB on Cu₂O deposition sites was investigated, and ternary composite nanoparticles were further synthesized by incorporating Pd or Pt into the AuNR-Cu₂O system (AuNR@Pd(Pt)-Cu₂O). The photocatalytic performance of these nanostructures was evaluated by catalyzing methyl orange (MO) under light irradiation. Results showed that AuNR@Pt-Cu₂O nanoparticles exhibited catalytic performance 35.7 times higher than that of pure Cu₂O nanoparticles. This enhancement is attributed to efficient charge transfer and photothermal effects facilitated by the ternary structure. These findings provide valuable insights into plasmonic heterostructure design and open new avenues for developing high-performance photocatalysts for energy and environmental applications.