Demonstration and investigation of hydrogen production by water splitting through plasmon assisted photocatalysis involving a cobalt catalyst.

Abstract: Plasmonic heterostructures are of great interest within the industry and in the academia owing to theirapplications in photovoltaics and photocatalysis. The Localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) leading to an intensification of the electromagnetic (EM) field on the surface of the plasmonic nanoparticles results in an efficient absorption of light over miniscule thickness of the material. The non-radiative decay and subsequent formation of hot carriers makes it possible to them being harvested over a Schottky barrier formed with a semiconducting material thus extending their lifetimes to that required for photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications. This project makes use of a Schottky barrier free plasmonic heterostructure consisting of a plasmonic Au nanoparticles, a semiconductor and a newly synthesised catalyst capable of catalysing hydrogen production reactions. The project also intends to demonstrate and spectroscopically isolate the mechanism of hydrogen production.