Plasmon-enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen/oxygen evolution by Pt/Fe–Au nanorods

Abstract

Surface plasmon resonance-enhanced electrolysis has become attractive since it realizes the highly efficient conversion of electric energy with the help of solar energy. Herein, Pt/Fe was grown on gold (Au) nanorods by a simple wet-chemistry process, producing either dumbbell-like nanorods (Pt/Fe–Au) or core–shell nanorods (Au@Pt/Fe). Using hydrogen evolution reaction as a model, these nanostructures were examined as an electrocatalyst with/without light irradiation. As a result, dumbbell-like nanorods exhibited the best performance under light irradiation due to plasmon-induced enhancement. Then, CV curves, activation energy at zero potential, i–t responses to light irradiation and j–t evolution revealed that the plasmon-excited electron-transfer rather than the photothermal effect resulted in the electrocatalysis enhancement. This enhancement was also demonstrated for oxygen evolution reaction, suggesting its great potential in other electrocatalysis applications.