Flower-shaped S-scheme CdS-ZnO nanorods heterojunction assisted with SPR of low-content Au for accelerating photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Plasmonic heterojunctions present excellent photocatalytic performance for water splitting. Herein, a novel S-scheme heterojunction of CdS-ZnO nanorods assisted with low-content Au (<1 wt%) plasmon was achieved successfully, which possessed the H 2 -generated efficiency of 14.36 mM h−1 g−1. Remarkable catalytic activity stems from the S-scheme mechanism, metal plasma resonance and the unique flower-shaped morphology. S-scheme endues the heterojunction with efficient carrier separation and strong redox capacity, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) generated from low-content Au broadens light absorption range and injects hot electrons into the heterojunction. In-situ XPS measurements verified an S-scheme carrier migration mechanism as well as hot electrons transfer. Other optical and photoelectric characterizations, as well as simulation calculation by finite difference time domain (FDTD) were also utilized to conjecture the probable mechanism. Low content noble metal and unique morphology accelerate the photocatalytic H 2 -production, and it likely proposes the promising strategy for practical application of photocatalysis for solar energy conversion. [Display omitted] • Three-dimensional flower-like structure is composed of nanorods. • Heterostructure presented an efficient H 2 -production rate of 14.36 mM h−1 g−1. • SPR of low-content Au accelerated photocatalytic hydrogen production. • In-situ XPS verified S-scheme carrier migration and SPR hot electrons transfer. • S-scheme endued heterojunction with an excellent redox capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]