Enhanced photocatalytic H2 production performance of Au@Cu2O-Ta3N5 discrete ternary core-shell spheres

Ta3N5 owns a theoretical band structure for photocatalytic H-2 production. However, the practical production performance is unsatisfactory, which is probably attributed to fast electron-hole recombination. In this study, we design novel Au@Cu2O-Ta3N5 discrete core-shell ternary nanospheres for highly efficient photocatalytic H-2 production by splitting water. This catalyst is prepared by coating Cu2O on the Au nanoparticles of Au-Ta3N5 nanospheres via an illumination method. The core-shell structure irradiated for 2 h (Au@Cu2O-Ta3N5 2 h) shows higher photocatalytic H-2 production rate (65.78 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1)) than Au-Ta3N5 (0.5% Au-Ta3N5, 22.43 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1)), Au-Cu2O-Ta3N5 (32.24 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1)), and fully covered Au@Cu2O-Ta3N5 5 h sample (51.27 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1)). The enhanced performance is attributed to the unique discrete core-shell structure, designed appropriate band structure, low charge transfer resistance, and high electron-hole separation ability. This study provides a novel Ta3N5-based ternary core-shell structure for high-performance H-2 production.

Automated summary

In this study, novel Au@Cu2O-Ta3N5 discrete core-shell ternary nanospheres were prepared for highly efficient photocatalytic H-2 production. The core-shell structure irradiated for 2 h showed a higher photocatalytic H-2 production rate compared to other samples. The enhanced performance is attributed to the unique discrete core-shell structure, designed appropriate band structure, low charge transfer resistance, and high electron-hole separation ability. This study provides a novel Ta3N5-based ternary core-shell structure for high-performance H-2 production.