Facile formation of silver nanoparticles as plasmonic photocatalysts for hydrogen production

Abstract

We show an efficient way to produce H₂ using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as the plasmonic photocatalyst. AgNPs were successfully synthesized by a facile method (in situ photo-reduction). Then, an effective photocatalytic system was presented, which generated H₂ from water under irradiation. The AgNPs exhibited an admirable photocatalytic activity with an average rate of hydrogen evolution of 20 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, using triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor and without the use of semiconductors. The photocatalytic activity of the AgNPs can be attributed to the LSPR effect.