Exploring solar-excited heterogeneous photocatalysts by taking advantage of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has drawn growing research attention. As it could help to pave the way for global sustainable development. The decoration of TiO₂ particles with noble metals possessing SPR effects is regarded as one of the most effective solutions. The perfect match of the SPR absorption band with the spectrum of incident light is an essential factor for plasmonic enhancement. However, modifying with sole noble metal is often limited as it tunes wavelength of only several nanometers. To overcome this drawback, an alternative approach can be offered by decoration with more than one noble metal. For instance, Au-Ag co-decoration displays greatly adjustable, composition-dependent SPR agent over a broad range of the visible light spectrum (ca. from 415 to 525 nm). Hence Au-Ag complex is a remarkable candidate for tuning the photo adsorption of TiO₂ from UV to visible light. This study presents a novel and tailored method for the fabrication of Au-Ag co-modified TiO₂ particles, and how Au-Ag dependent SPR was applied as the visible light-responsive TiO₂ based photocatalysts in a simple but reliable way. The fabricated Au-Ag co-decorated TiO₂ (Au_xAg_(1−x)/TiO₂) was characterized and proved to own excellent stability and large specific surface area. The optimization of these particles against the wavelength of maximal solar light intensity was confirmed by photo degradation of methylene blue under visible light radiation. This work may provide further insight into the design of TiO₂-based composites with improved photocatalytic properties for environmental remediation and renewable energy utilization.

This study focuses on enhancing the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) performance of LaFeO₃ photocathodes by incorporating Ag nanocrystals. LaFeO₃, a perovskite-type metal oxide semiconductor, has potential in PEC water splitting but suffers from fast charge carrier recombination. Ag nanoparticles are introduced due to their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) property and ability to form Schottky junctions with LaFeO₃. A series of Ag/LaFeO₃ materials are prepared using the molten salt method for LaFeO₃ synthesis and the direct reduction method for Ag loading. The results show that Ag nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on LaFeO₃. The 3 mol% Ag/LaFeO₃ photocathode demonstrates a remarkable ninefold increase in photocurrent density (15 mA·cm⁻² at −0.2 V vs. RHE) compared to pure LaFeO₃ (1.7 mA·cm⁻²). The band gap of LaFeO₃ is reduced from 2.07 eV to 1.92 eV with 3 mol% Ag loading, and the charge transfer impedance is reduced by 77%, while the carrier concentration increases by 2.3 times. The novelty of this work lies in the comprehensive investigation of the interaction mechanisms between Ag nanoparticles and LaFeO₃, which lead to enhanced light absorption, improved charge separation, and increased electrochemical activity. The optimized Ag loading not only improves the photocatalytic efficiency but also enhances the stability of the photocathode. This work provides valuable insights into the interaction between Ag and LaFeO₃, and offers experimental and theoretical support for developing efficient photocatalytic materials for PEC water splitting.

This study focuses on enhancing the photoelectro - catalytic (PEC) performance of LaFeO₃ photocathodes by incorporating Ag nanocrystals. LaFeO₃, a perovskite - type metal oxide semiconductor, has potential in PEC water splitting but suffers from fast charge carrier recombination. Ag nanoparticles are introduced due to their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) property and ability to form Schottky junctions with LaFeO₃. A series of Ag/LaFeO₃ materials are prepared using the molten salt method for LaFeO₃ synthesis and the direct reduction method for Ag loading. The results show that Ag nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on LaFeO₃. The 3 mol% Ag loading significantly enhances the photocurrent density, about 9 - fold higher than that of pure LaFeO₃. Ag loading improves light absorption, reduces the band gap, and optimizes charge kinetics. EIS and Mott - Schottky analysis reveal that 3 mol% Ag/LaFeO₃ has the lowest charge transfer impedance and the highest carrier concentration. This work provides valuable insights into the interaction between Ag and LaFeO₃, and offers experimental and theoretical support for developing efficient photocatalytic materials for PEC water splitting.