Dual-plasmonic Au@Cu7S4 yolk@shell nanocrystals for photocatalytic hydrogen production across visible to near infrared spectral region

Abstract Near infrared energy remains untapped toward the maneuvering of entire solar spectrum harvesting for fulfilling the nuts and bolts of solar hydrogen production. We report the use of Au@Cu 7 S 4 yolk@shell nanocrystals as dual-plasmonic photocatalysts to achieve remarkable hydrogen production under visible and near infrared illumination. Ultrafast spectroscopic data reveal the prevalence of long-lived charge separation states for Au@Cu 7 S 4 under both visible and near infrared excitation. Combined with the advantageous features of yolk@shell nanostructures, Au@Cu 7 S 4 achieves a peak quantum yield of 9.4% at 500 nm and a record-breaking quantum yield of 7.3% at 2200 nm for hydrogen production in the…

• RC
  Research Center for Biomedical Engineering
• SE
  Shanghai Educational Development Foundation
• MO
  Ministry of Education, India
• NS
  National Science and Technology Council

  Awards: 112-2113-M-A49-024, NSTC 112-2113-M-A49-024, NSTC 111-2113-M-A49-038
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Awards: JP21K04827, JP23K04369
• IO
  Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology