Gold Nanoparticles-Functionalized Ultrathin Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for Boosting Solar Hydrogen Production: The Role of Plasmon-Induced Interfacial Electric Fields

作者：Haidong Yu, Ziqi Wei, Qiyue Gao, Ping Qu, Rui Wang, Xuehui Luo, Xiao Wei Sun, Dong Li, Xiao Zhang, Jiufen Liu, Liang Feng · 发表于：Molecules · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/molecules30163406 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques、Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion、Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods

The design of photocatalysts capable of generating localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects represents a promising strategy for enhancing photocatalytic activity. However, the mechanistic role of plasmonic nanoparticles-induced interfacial electric fields in driving photocatalytic processes remains poorly understood. To produce a Schottky junction, varying amounts of Au nanoparticles widely utilized to broaden the light absorption were loaded onto ultrathin carbon nitride sheets (Au/UCN). The Au/UCN-20 Schottky junction exhibits exceptional photocatalytic activity, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate (14.2 mmol·g−1 over a 4 h period) while maintaining robust stability through five consecutive photocatalytic cycles. The LSPR activity of Au nanoparticles are responsible for the broadened light absorption spectrum of Au/UCN nanocomposites. The interfacial electric field generated at the Au /UCN heterojunction is proposed to enhance charge-transfer efficiency through Schottky barrier penetration of photocarriers, mediated by electric field-driven carrier migration, according to surface potential and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD). These findings uncover a previously obscured photocatalytic mechanism driven by LSPR-induced interfacial electric fields, pioneering a quantum-dot-directed strategy to precisely engineer charge dynamics in advanced photocatalysts via targeted manipulation of nanoscale electric field effects.