title: Facile synthesis of Ag@CeO2 core-shell plasmonic photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance.
abstract: Novel Ag@CeO2 core-shell nanostructures with well-controlled shape and shell thickness were successfully synthesized via a green and facile template-free approach in aqueous solution. As-prepared samples were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), electron spin resonance (ESR) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The structures with different core shapes and controllable shell thickness exhibited unique optical properties. It is found that the nanoscale Ag@CeO2 core-shell photocatalysts exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities in the O2 evolution and MB dye degradation compared to pure CeO2 nanoparticals. The enhancement in photocatalytic activities can be ascribed to the localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag cores. Moreover, larger active interfacial areas and contact between metal/semiconductor in the core-shell structure facilitate transfer of charge carriers and prolong lifetime of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. It is expected that the Ag@CeO2 core-shell structure may have great potential in a wider range of light-harvesting applications.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Linen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Siman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: gelei08@sina.com.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Changcun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yongji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xin
keywords: Ag@CeO(2); Core–shell structure; Photocatalysis; Water splitting