Novel Au/Cu2O multi-shelled porous heterostructures for enhanced efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting

In this study, we report novel Au/Cu2O multi-shelled porous heterostructures (MSPHs). The results of photoelectrochemical (PEC) examination indicate that the photocurrent density of the as-prepared Au/Cu2O MSPHs electrode reaches 150 μA cm−2, which is almost 7.5 times higher than 20 μA cm−2 of pure Cu2O MSP at a 0 V bias potential versus Ag/AgCl. The enhanced PEC efficiency of the Au/MSPHs is ascribed to the Schottky barrier at the Au–MSP NP interface and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Au. We also found that Au nanoparticles deposited on the surface of Cu2O MSP could effectively adjust their band structure.