Au surface plasmon resonance promoted charge transfer in Z-scheme system enables exceptional photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Highly efficient photocatalytic water reduction to evolve hydrogen can be achieved by the construction of Z-scheme systems that mimics natural photosynthesis. However, coupling appropriate semiconductors with suitable water reduction potential still remains challenging. Herein, we report a novel Z-scheme system, based on the Au decorated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-trimethylammoniophenyl) porphyrin tetra(p-toluene sulfonate) functionalized iron-doped carbon nitride. We prepared carbon nitride by varying the amount of iron dopant and then functionalized with porphyrin to obtain heterostructure photocatalyst. Owing to the strong interfacial contact and proper band alignment, a Z-scheme system is fabricated. Finally, we deposited Au nanoparticles over the surface of the as-fabricated Z-scheme system to promote the surface redox properties via efficient charge carrier's separation and transfer. The 3Au-3 P/30Fe-CN photocatalyst achieved excellent H2 evolution activity by producing 3172.20 µmol h−1 g−1 under UV–visible irradiation. The calculated quantum efficiencies for 3Au-3 P/30Fe-CN photocatalyst at 365 and 420 nm irradiation wavelengths are 7.2% and 3.26%, respectively. The experimentally observed efficiency of our photocatalyst is supported by the density functional theory simulations in terms of the lowest work function and strong electrostatic interaction among the constituents of Z-scheme system.