An efficient inverse opal (IO)-TiO₂-MoO_3-x for photocatalytic H₂ evolution and RhB degradation – The synergy effect of IO structure and plasmonic MoO_3-x

In this paper, we designed an inverse opal (IO)-TiO₂-MoO_3-x to explore whether IO structure and LSPR (local surface plasmon resonance) material could contribute to a synergy effect for enhancing photoelectrical properties and photoactivity of catalysts, which has never been reported before. Combined IO structure and plasmon material (MoO_3-x) is found to show much higher light capture capability and carrier separation and transfer efficiency than those with single control factor, which could enhance photocatalyst activity of RhB degradation and H₂ evolution significantly. The mechanisms for such synergy effect were investigated in depth. Comparing with non-plasmonic IO-TiO₂-MoO₃, the type II heterojunction, the more abundant oxygen vacancies and Mo⁵⁺, and the high-energy “hot electron” of plasmonic MoO_3-x are believe to account for the high photoelectrical properties and high activity of IO-TiO₂-MoO_3-x. Comparing with bulk-TiO₂-MoO_3-x, the introduction of IO structure brings into substantial higher light capture capability and carrier separation and transfer efficiency.