Harnessing Au and Ag plasmonic layers to boost photoanode performance for photoelectrochemical splitting of water: a systematic review

Abstract

The incorporation of noble metals as a plasmonic layer in synthesized photoanodes has emerged as an outstanding strategy for enhancing the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoanodes. In this systematic review, published articles between 2015 to 2025 focusing on Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) as plasmonic layers were analyzed, and their key findings were compared and interpreted for efficient PEC splitting of water. Articles were searched on Springer online Database via “water splitting” AND “Photoelectrochemical” AND “Photoanodes” AND “Plasmons” key words which resulted in 136 specific reports. After applying the selection criteria, the useful reports were filtered to 30 articles. The values of predefined parameters were searched in the articles and listed in the tables which were subsequently discussed, compared, and interpreted with the help of plots. Furthermore, the nanostructures of thin films were simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The results indicated that the AuPd–TiO2, G/MoS2/Ag-4, Au functionalized In2S3, AgNS@SiO2 (5 nm) @Cu2O (29 nm) NCs and FeOOH/ ZIS/Au photoanodes exhibit superior PEC performance. These enhancements are attributed to significant modifications, including decoration with bimetallic NPs, graphene transfer onto glass substrates, surface functionalization, fabrication of triple core–shell nanocomposites and incorporation of amorphous thin layers. Furthermore, a variety of nanostructures including nanorods, nanosheets, nanoflowers, ternary hybrid, nanobowel, rectangular nanoplates, ternary heterojunction, nanotubes, micro-tablets and 3D nanostructure have been designed within plasmonic strategies utilizing Au and Ag NPs. This work; provides a clear pathway for future research on related topics by representing effective modifications, compositions and structures.