PlasmonicAu‐TiO2/ZnOCore–Shell Nanorod Array Photoanode for Visible‐Light‐Driven Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

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Abstract
A plasmonic Au‐TiO2/ZnO core–shell nanorod array (NR) photoanode exhibits efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting induced by the plasmonic energy and type II TiO2/ZnO heterojunction. The plasmonic Au‐TiO2/ZnO core–shell NR photoanode provides a photocurrent density of 3.01 mA cm−2 at 1.7 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), almost 1.5 and 3 times higher than that of TiO2/ZnO core–shell NRs and TiO2 NRs upon exposure into simulated solar light. Moreover, the plasmonic Au‐TiO2/ZnO core–shell NR photoanode shows a clear photocurrent density under visible‐light irradiation (λ>400 nm) with a photocurrent density of 0.11 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE. The visible‐light‐excited photocurrent is mainly caused by the surface plasmon resonance effects produced by plasmonic Au nanoparticles, which benefit the visible‐light absorption and charge separation of the wide‐band‐gap TiO2/ZnO heterojunction through the electrons and resonant energy transfer. Additionally, the strong interfacial interaction between TiO2 and ZnO leads to an effective photoinduced interfacial charge separation and transfer.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21603111)

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