Plasmonic Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation: A Mini-Review

Solar energy is one of the most rapidly growing energy technologies and is directly involved in transitioning toward a more sustainable society. Solar to hydrogen fuel generation via photocatalysis is ideal for addressing the energy crisis worldwide. It requires the discovery of new materials or a new combination of materials to efficiently harvest sunlight with maximum solar-to-photon conversion efficiency. Plasmonic catalysts have recently emerged as a new class of materials and are promising candidates for confining light in the nanoscale regimes via localized surface plasmon resonance effect. In this review, we have collated state-of-the-art photocatalysts for hydrogen generation utilizing the combination of supports, including metal–organic framework (MOF), metal–organic matrix (MOM), g-C3N4, TiO2, MoS2, and WO3. The synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance, along with the technical and novelty aspect, have been discussed. Finally, the future perspective section includes key directions to further improve the photocatalytic route of hydrogen generation by plasmonic catalysts.