Fast in-situ photodeposition of Ag and Cu nanoparticles onto AgTaO3 perovskite for an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation

The M (M = Ag, Cu) nanoparticles were deposited by a fast in-situ photoreduction method onto the AgTaO₃ photocatalyst surface using 1, 2, and 5 wt % ratios, in order to investigate their photocatalytic properties for hydrogen production. The obtained results indicated a nanoparticles growth <20 nm in diameter during 10 min of photoreduction process for both nanoparticles. The M (M = Ag, Cu) NPs/AgTaO₃ exhibited superior photocatalytic activity than bare AgTaO₃, with an efficiency increment of around 11 and 30 times at 2 wt % ratio of Ag and Cu nanoparticles, respectively. The excellent photocatalytic activity could be related to the surface plasmon resonance effect of nanoparticles, preventing the electron-hole recombination. Additionally, the optical and photoelectrochemical characterization revealed the presence and the effect of oxidized species of the nanoparticles, with a direct impact on the transport of photogenerated charge carriers for the improvement of the photocatalytic activity.