Integration of Plasmonic Effects and Schottky Junctions into Metal-Organic Framework Composites: Steering Charge Flow for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalysis

Abstract

A wide range of light absorption and rapid electron-hole separation are desired for efficient photocatalysis. Herein, on the basis of a semiconductor-like metal-organic framework (MOF), a Pt@MOF/Au catalyst with two types of metal-MOF interfaces integrates the surface plasmon resonance excitation of Au nanorods with a Pt-MOF Schottky junction, which not only extends the light absorption of the MOF from the UV to the visible region but also greatly accelerates charge transfer. The spatial separation of Pt and Au particles by the MOF further steers the formation of charge flow and expedites the charge migration. As a result, the Pt@MOF/Au presents an exceptionally high photocatalytic H₂ production rate by water splitting under visible light irradiation, far superior to Pt/MOF/Au, MOF/Au and other counterparts with similar Pt or Au contents, highlighting the important role of each component and the Pt location in the catalyst.

Keywords: Schottky junction; hydrogen production; metal-organic frameworks (MOFs); photocatalysis; surface plasmon resonance.