Plasmonic Metal Nanostructures as Efficient Light Absorbers for Solar Water Splitting

• Published in: Advanced energy and sustainability research Vol. 2; no. 11
• Main Authors: Wang, Yawen, Zhang, Junchang, Liang, Wenkai, Qin, Wei, Sun, Yinghui, Jiang, Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Argonne John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2021; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: Cell surface; Chemical energy; Electric fields; Electromagnetism; Energy conversion efficiency; Energy sources; Fossil fuels; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; hydrogen evolution reaction; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Hydrogen fuels; Incident light; Light; Metals; Morphology; Nanostructure; Outdoor air quality; Oxygen evolution reactions; photo-assisted electrocatalysis; Photocatalysis; plasmonic metal nanostructures; Plasmonics; Semiconductors; Solar energy; Solar energy conversion; Surface plasmon resonance; Sustainable energy; Water splitting
• ISSN: 2699-9412; 2699-9412
• DOI: 10.1002/aesr.202100092

Solar energy has been considered as one of the most promising sustainable energy sources to meet the current energy demands. Plasmonic metal nanostructures, possessing unique localized surface plasmon resonance effects, hold particular strengths in enhancing incident light trapping and extending optical response range across the full solar spectrum. The integration of plasmonic metal nanostructures into photocatalyst systems offers huge opportunities to maximize the utilization of solar energy and improve the conversion efficiency of solar energy into available chemical energy, especially hydrogen fuel cells. Herein, recent research efforts on the applications of plasmonic metal nanostructures in photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical (electro‐assisted photocatalytic), and photo‐assisted electrocatalytic water splitting, including the hydrogen evolution reaction and the oxygen evolution reaction, are highlighted. In addition, the relevant structure design, mechanism exploration, and performance promotion are summarized and discussed. Herein, recent achievements of plasmonic metal nanostructures in photocatalytic, electro‐assisted photocatalytic, and photo‐assisted electrocatalytic water splitting are emphasized. Metal nanostructures with unique localized surface plasmon resonance effects hold particular strengths in enhancing light absorption and broadening spectral range. The integration of plasmonic metal nanostructures into photocatalysts is highly expected to maximize sunlight utilization and facilitate solar‐to‐chemical conversion.