Au LSPR Effect Enhanced R‐CeO2/G‐C3N4 S‐scheme Heterojunction for Accelerating CO2 Photoreduction Performance

Why It Matters

The breakthrough demonstrates a scalable pathway to boost solar‑driven CO₂ conversion, accelerating the transition toward carbon‑neutral fuels and strengthening the renewable energy market.

Key Takeaways

• Au LSPR boosts carrier separation in R‑CeO₂/g‑C₃N₄
• CO yield reaches 50.58 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, ~6× higher
• S‑scheme heterojunction lowers *COOH formation energy
• Largest surface area improves CO₂ adsorption capacity
• DFT shows highest electron density at reduction sites

Pulse Analysis

Solar‑driven CO₂ photoreduction has long been hampered by sluggish charge dynamics and insufficient reactant adsorption. By integrating Au nanoparticles that exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance, the CAC‑2 catalyst harvests a broader spectrum of sunlight, generating hot electrons that rapidly migrate to the CeO₂/g‑C₃N₄ interface. This plasmonic excitation, coupled with an S‑scheme heterojunction, creates a built‑in electric field that spatially separates electrons and holes, mitigating recombination and delivering a pronounced increase in photocatalytic activity.

Beyond light absorption, the structural design of the ternary system addresses two critical kinetic barriers. Oxygen vacancies in CeO₂ provide abundant active sites, while the high‑surface‑area g‑C₃N₄ matrix enhances CO₂ adsorption, ensuring reactant proximity to charge carriers. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the Au‑induced LSPR lowers the formation energy of the *COOH intermediate, the rate‑determining step in CO evolution, and concentrates electron density at the CeO₂–Au interface. These synergistic effects translate into a CO production rate exceeding 50 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, a performance metric that outpaces most reported metal‑free and noble‑metal‑decorated photocatalysts.

The implications extend to industrial-scale solar fuel generation. The facile synthesis of the Au‑LSPR‑enhanced S‑scheme heterojunction uses inexpensive precursors and operates under ambient conditions, offering a viable route for large‑area deployment. Moreover, the demonstrated stability and recyclability suggest that such catalysts could be integrated into continuous flow reactors, bridging the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and commercial renewable‑energy technologies. As policy frameworks increasingly favor low‑carbon solutions, advances like CAC‑2 position photochemical CO₂ reduction as a competitive component of the emerging green‑hydrogen and synthetic fuel ecosystem.