Overall water splitting and hydrogen peroxide synthesis by gold nanoparticle-based plasmonic photocatalysts

Plasmonic photocatalysts driven by the localized surface plasmon resonance excitation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) can be efficient solar-to-chemical converters due to their wide spectral response. This review article highlights recent studies on plasmonic water splitting and H(2)O(2) synthesis from water and oxygen (O(2)) with a particular emphasis placed on the electrocatalysis of Au NPs. The Introduction (Section 1) points to the importance of the establishment of solar hydrogen and oxygen cycles involving hydrogen (H(2)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) as the key compound, respectively, for realizing a “sustainable society”. Section 2 deals with the basic action mechanisms of Au NP-based plasmonic photocatalysts. Section 3 treats the electrocatalytic activity of Au NPs for the half-reactions involved in the reactions. Section 4 describes recent advances in the plasmonic overall water splitting (4.1) and H(2)O(2) synthesis (4.2). Finally, a summary is presented with the possible development direction in Section 5.