title: Morphology-Controlled Synthesis of Au/Cu₂FeSnS₄ Core-Shell Nanostructures for Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation.
abstract: Copper-based chalcogenides of earth-abundant elements have recently arisen as an alternate material for solar energy conversion. Cu2FeSnS4 (CITS), a quaternary chalcogenide that has received relatively little attention, has the potential to be developed into a low-cost and environmentlly friendly material for photovoltaics and photocatalysis. Herein, we report, for the first time, the synthesis, characterization, and growth mechanism of novel Au/CITS core-shell nanostructures with controllable morphology. Precise manipulations in the core-shell dimensions are demonstrated to yield two distinct heterostructures with spherical and multipod gold nanoparticle (NP) cores (Au(sp)/CITS and Au(mp)/CITS). In photocatalytic hydrogen generation with as-synthesized Au/CITS NPs, the presence of Au cores inside the CITS shell resulted in higher hydrogen generation rates, which can be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect. The Au(sp)/CITS and Au(mp)/CITS core-shell NPs enhanced the photocatalytic hydrogen generation by about 125% and 240%, respectively, compared to bare CITS NPs.
authors: †Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Enna
authors: E
authors: Ha
authors: †Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Lawrence Yoon Suk
authors: LY
authors: Lee
authors: †Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Ho-Wing
authors: HW
authors: Man
authors: ‡Wolfson Catalysis Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QR, United Kingdom.
authors: Shik Chi Edman
authors: SC
authors: Tsang
authors: †Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Kwok-Yin
authors: KY
authors: Wong
keywords: Au/CITS core−shell; anisotropic growth; hydrogen evolution; photocatalysis; surface plasmon resonance