Constructing the Cu2O@Au/Cu2O integrated heterostructure cooperated with LSPR effect for enhanced photocatalytic performance via a three-in-one synergy

As a promising strategy, Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is applied to improve the efficiency of metal–semiconductor photocatalysts. However, current research have focused on maximizing the LSPR effect in a single structure, rather than the simultaneous consideration of the synergy between integrated structural characteristics and LSPR effect. Here we designed an integrated structure of Cu2O@Au/Cu2O heterostructure particles (HPs), which were provided with both the core–shell heterostructure (Cu2O@Au) and the inter-embedded heterostructure (Au/Cu2O). Cu2O@Au/Cu2O HPs showed much enhanced photocatalytic performance than pure Cu2O and other heterostructures with single structural characteristics. Experimental characterization and theoretical simulation confirm that the integrated heterostructure follows the three-in-one synergy, which include the LSPR effect of Au nanoparticles, the light scattering based on core–shell heterostructure, and the effective charge separation based on inter-embedded heterostructure. The concept of integrated heterostructure cooperated with LSPR effect provides a new strategy to design future catalysts.