SPR propelled visible-active photocatalysis on Au-dispersed Co3O4 films

• Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect can be used in photocatalysis.
• An additional and significant SPR peak appeared in the Au/Co3O4 composite films.
• SPR peaks were strongly related to Au content and the charge transition.
• SPR propelled visible-active photocatalysis in Au/Co3O4 films was investigated.

Au nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed Co3O4 composite films were fabricated via a chemical solution approach combined with a spin-coating processing. The photocatalysis on Au-dispersed Co3O4 (Au/Co3O4) films were investigated under a visible light (λ > 400 nm) irradiation. Compared with the pure Co3O4 film, an additional and significant surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak appeared in the Au/Co3O4 composite films. The SPR peaks aroused at around 630 nm in the composite films were strongly related to Au content and the charge transition between Au and [Co2+ Co23+ O4]. Au/Co3O4 composite films with 40 mol% Au content exhibited the superior photocatalytic activity for degradation of Congo red (CR) solution under the visible light irradiation, suggesting the highly effective SPR propelled effect for enhancing the visible-active photocatalysis on the Au/Co3O4 composite films in this study.

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