Plasmon-Induced Charge Separation-Driven Energy Storage Photocatalyst with Silver Nanoparticles/Nickel Oxide

Visible light-responsive oxidative energy storage photocatalysts based on plasmon-induced charge separation (PICS) were developed by integrating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and p-type nickel oxide (NiO). Under localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation, a photoresponse was observed, demonstrating that charge separation occurs at the AgNP/NiO interface and that positive charge is transferred from the AgNPs to the NiO. Spectroscopic analysis indicates that the injected holes oxidize NiO, thereby promoting oxidative energy storage. Furthermore, the stored oxidative energy can be discharged electrochemically, and this storage-release process is shown to be repeatable. This study presents a simple and effective design for visible light-driven oxidative energy storage photocatalysts and proposes their potential application in photocatalysts that function continuously day and night and in photochromic sensors.