Photocatalytic Water Splitting Driven by Surface Plasmon Resonance

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in metals results in unique optical properties and photoelectric functions, which are helpful for light harvesting in photocatalysis. Additionally, the plasmon-associated charge transfer process gives a complementary platform to understand the charge dynamics at a fundamental level. This Review focused on the recent developments of water splitting by plasmonic metals/semiconductor photocatalysts. Firstly, the basic characteristics of SPR and the plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis mechanisms including plasmon resonance energy transfer and interfacial charge transfer are introduced, highlighting the recent understanding of the plasmonic electron-hole separation, distribution, and the reaction sites for water splitting. Then, advances in the strategies to improve the quantum efficiency of plasmon-induced water splitting are summarized by considering modulation in metals, interface contacts, and bulk properties of semiconductors. Finally, we discuss future prospects in the development of high-efficiency plasmonic metal/semiconductor photocatalysts for water splitting. Surface plasmon resonance results in fascinating optical and physical characteristics when interacting with light. This Review summarized recent progress in plasmon-induced water splitting by plasmonic metal-semiconductor catalysts, including developments in the understanding of plasmonic charge separation, distribution and reaction sites, together with devices for enhancing the plasmon-induced water splitting efficiency.image