Enhanced photocatalytic reactions via plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures combing with solid-liquid-gas interfaces

Photocatalytic water pollution remediation is currently a hot issue in the field of environmental protection. However, the limited optical adsorption, recombination of electrons and holes, as well as low kinetics in solid-liquid conditions impede the further improvement in photoactivity. Inspired by the degradation mechanism of photocatalytic process, started with interfacial engineering, in this paper, plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures (PMSHs) combined with an optimized dissolved oxygen transporting channel were prepared. With the synergetic help of PMSHs and superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic (superwetting) reaction interface, it is not only can realize the effective capture of photons in the visible light band, but also promote the fully separation of electron-hole pairs. The efficiency in PMSHs based triphase system is ~60 times higher than traditional solid-liquid system, and is ~3 times higher than PMSHs based solid-liquid system. The stability and wide applicability in series organic dyes degradation also made it a good potential for practical pollutants water treatment. • A hole scavenger assisted photoreduction route for the optimization of plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures. • A solid-liquid-gas interface consits of a superhydrophobic carbon black and superhydrophilic plasmonic heterostructures. • ~60 and ~3 times higher SA degradation in triphase compared to P25 based diphase and plasmonic diphase, respectively. • Applicable in the series of organic pollutants and superior stability for tens of test cycles.