Photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction stimulated by the surface plasmon resonance effect of copper and silver surrounded with MoS2

Abstract

Developing plasmonic metal-based photocatalysts can improve the photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and overcome the limitations of semiconductor-based photocatalysts. A MoS₂@Ag–Cu foam composite electrode was fabricated on a copper foam and employed for photoelectrocatalytic HER. The optical behavior and photoelectrocatalytic HER test results indicate that the surface plasmon resonance effect of copper and silver is the primary source of light absorption. Additionally, molybdenum sulfide was employed as a hot-electron trap to capture the energetic electrons generated from copper and silver, thereby promoting the hydrogen evolution reaction. Its binder-free electrode exhibits the better HER performance and excellent stability. Low-cost plasmonic metals, copper and silver, were used as the source of photocatalysis, providing a novel perspective for enhancing photoelectrocatalytic HER performance.