Constructing the Cu2O@Au/Cu2O integrated heterostructure cooperated with LSPR effect for enhanced photocatalytic performance via a three-in-one synergy

As a promising strategy, Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is applied to improve the efficiency of metal-semiconductor photocatalysts. However, current research have focused on maximizing the LSPR effect in a single structure, rather than the simultaneous consideration of the synergy between integrated structural characteristics and LSPR effect. Here we designed an integrated structure of Cu2O@Au/Cu2O heterostructure particles (HPs), which were provided with both the core-shell heterostructure (Cu2O@Au) and the inter-embedded heterostructure (Au/Cu2O). Cu2O@Au/Cu2O HPs showed much enhanced photocatalytic performance than pure Cu2O and other heterostructures with single structural characteristics. Experimental characterization and theoretical simulation confirm that the integrated heterostructure follows the three-in-one synergy, which include the LSPR effect of Au nanoparticles, the light scattering based on core-shell heterostructure, and the effective charge separation based on inter-embedded heterostructure. The concept of integrated heterostructure cooperated with LSPR effect provides a new strategy to design future catalysts.

Automated summary

This study designed an integrated structure of Cu2O@Au/Cu2O heterostructure particles, which achieved significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance by simultaneously considering the integrated structural characteristics and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect. Experimental characterization and theoretical simulation confirmed the three-in-one synergy of the integrated heterostructure, including the LSPR effect of Au nanoparticles, the light scattering based on core-shell heterostructure, and the effective charge separation based on inter-embedded heterostructure. The concept of integrated heterostructure cooperated with LSPR effect provides a new strategy for designing future catalysts.