Improved Plasmonic Hot-Electron Capture in Au Nanoparticle/Polymeric Carbon Nitride by Pt Single Atoms for Broad-Spectrum Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

Abstract

Highlights A hybrid co-catalysts system comprising Au nanoparticles (NPs) and PtSAs with different functions was constructed on the polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) surface by double-solvent method. For the dual co-catalysts, the Au NPs absorb relatively long-wavelength light to produce plasmonic hot-electrons, and the adjacent Pt single atoms (PtSAs) can trap the plasmonic hot-electrons effectively for H2 evolution. The PtSAs–Au2.5/PCN exhibits excellent broad-spectrum photocatalytic H2 evolution activity with the H2 evolution rate of 8.8 mmol g− 1 h− 1 at 420 nm and 264 μmol g− 1 h− 1 at 550 nm, respectively.

Keywords

• Polymeric carbon nitride
• Au nanoparticles
• Pt single atoms
• Photocatalytic H2 evolution
• Broad-spectrum photocatalysts