Optimizing the Photoelectrocatalytic Performance of Ag NS@SiO2@Cu2O Nanocomposites Through Microstructural Tuning Based on the Plasmonic Induced Resonance Energy Transfer

The practical application of Cu 2 O in the field of photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) hydrogen production has been limited by its relatively low photoconversion efficiency and electron mobility. Plasmonic metal nanoparticles have been utilized to enhance the charge separation of semiconductors through resonance energy transfer from metal nanoparticles to semiconductors. In this study, Ag nanosphere (Ag NS)@SiO 2 were combined with Cu 2 O to form triple core–shell nanocomposites, aiming to enhance the photoelectrochemical activity of Cu 2 O under visible-light irradiation. The microstructures of the Ag@SiO 2 @Cu 2 O nanocomposites were regulated by controlling the thickness of SiO 2 interlay and Cu 2 O shell in order to optimize the PEC efficiency. It was found that Ag NS@SiO 2 (5 nm)@Cu 2 O (29 nm) NCs exhibited the highest photocurrent intensity, showing 3.3 times, 11.9 times, and 17.8 times higher values than pure Cu 2 O, pure Ag NS, and AgNS@SiO 2 NPs respectively. Furthermore, the photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production velocity of Ag NS@SiO 2 (5 nm)@Cu 2 O (29 nm) NCs was around 25 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 , which has been improved around 4.2 times compared to pure Cu 2 O. This enhanced performance is attributed to plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer from Ag metal nanoparticles to Cu 2 O semiconductor, which may improve the separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and lead higher photoelectrocatalytic efficiency. Graphic The Ag NS@SiO 2 was integrated with Cu 2 O to form triple core–shell nanocomposites, aiming to enhance the photoelectrochemical activity of Cu 2 O under visible-light irradiation through plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer from Ag to Cu 2 O. And their photoelectrocatalytic performances were optimized by controlling the thickness of SiO 2 interlay and Cu 2 O shell. Ag NS@SiO 2 (5 nm)@Cu 2 O (29 nm) NCs exhibited superior photocurrent intensity and enhanced photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production rate compared to pure Cu 2 O.