Plasmonic Excitation Enhancing S-Scheme Charge Transfer for Visible-to-Infrared Light-Driven Photocatalytic Glycerol...

Photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) evolution from glycerol reforming represents a green and sustainable strategy for H₂ production while simultaneously integrating biomass utilization. However, this reaction is limited by the narrow-spectrum light absorption and low charge separation and transfer efficiency of the current photocatalysts. In this study, an S-scheme MoO_3-x-CdZnS (MO-CZS) heterojunction photocatalyst exhibiting a strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect was fabricated via an electrostatic self-assembly strategy, demonstrating high full-spectrum light absorption from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR) region and an impressive photothermal conversion effect. Meanwhile, the built-in electric field formed at the S-scheme interface induced directional charge transfer, enabling efficient photogenerated carrier separation and migration. Consequently, the optimized MO-CZS heterojunction photocatalyst achieved a hydrogen evolution rate of 352.4 μmol g^-1 h^-1 from glycerol reforming under visible-to-NIR light irradiation, approximately four times that of pristine CdZnS (88 μmol g^-1 h^-1), and maintained high catalytic stability. This study provides a new insight into designing full-spectrum-responsive photocatalysts for biomass reforming toward hydrogen production through the synergistic integration of LSPR effect and S-scheme mechanisms.