Issue 28, 2024

Plasmonic Cu–Ni bimetal nanoparticles coupled with ultrathin CdS nanosheets for remarkably improved photocatalytic H2 generation under visible-light irradiation

Abstract

The utilization of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect and metal cocatalyst decoration to form a Schottky junction are two effective methods to promote photocatalytic performances. However, combining these two approaches in a single photocatalyst system is challenging. Here, a simple solution-phase strategy is employed to integrate plasmonic Cu–Ni bimetal nanoparticles into ultrathin CdS nanosheets to enhance photocatalytic activity. The optimized Cu–Ni/CdS ternary photocatalyst exhibits a photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 28.19 mmol g−1 h−1, which is more than 88 times higher than that of CdS and also significantly enhanced compared to that of Cu/CdS and Ni/CdS binary photocatalysts. Furthermore, 8% Cu–Ni/CdS demonstrates a high apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 21.5% at 400 nm and 12.1% at 520 nm, respectively. The as-obtained nanocomposites showcase exceptional stability during cycling measurements. The impressive photocatalytic activity of Cu–Ni/CdS can be credited to the synergistic effect of the SPR electrons of Cu and the Schottky junctions from Ni nanoparticles. This synergy allows the CdS nanosheets to absorb wide-range visible light, separate carriers, and enhance the surface kinetics of H2 production. In addition, a comprehensive analysis is presented on how Cu–Ni enhances the photocatalytic performance of CdS nanosheets using experimental and DFT calculations. This work offers valuable insights into developing cost-effective plasmonic Cu–Ni bimetal-modified CdS nanosheets, which hold great promise in advancing novel ternary metal–semiconductor photocatalysts for efficient solar energy conversion.

Graphical abstract: Plasmonic Cu–Ni bimetal nanoparticles coupled with ultrathin CdS nanosheets for remarkably improved photocatalytic H2 generation under visible-light irradiation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Apr 2024
Accepted
09 Jun 2024
First published
10 Jun 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 17286-17294

Plasmonic Cu–Ni bimetal nanoparticles coupled with ultrathin CdS nanosheets for remarkably improved photocatalytic H2 generation under visible-light irradiation

Q. Zeng, Y. Bao, S. Ning, Q. Yu, Y. Wei and D. Zeng, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 17286 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA02353F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements