In situ charge transfer at the Ag@ZnO photoelectrochemical interface toward the high photocatalytic performance of H2 evolution and RhB degradation

Designing an efficient hybrid structure photocatalyst for photocatalytic decomposition and hydrogen (H2) evolution has been considered a great choice intended to develop renewable technologies for clean energy and environmental remediation. Enhanced charge transfer (CT) based on the interaction between a noble metal and a semiconductor is a crucial factor influencing the movement of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Herein, we focus on the recent advances in related to plasmon-enhanced noble metals and semiconductor nature to drive photocatalytic H2 production and the organic dye Rhodamine B’s (RhB) photodegradation under UV and visible light irradiation. Specifically, the combination of concerted catalysis and green nano engineering strategies to design ZnO-based composite photocatalysts and their decoration with metallic Ag has been realized by the RF sputtering technique at room temperature. This simultaneity enhances the interface coupling between Ag and ZnO and reduces the energy threshold. The cre...