Designing high efficacy photocatalysts is a promising way to improve solar fuel production efficiency. In this work, we prepared a core/shell composite of loose ZnCr layered double hydroxide nanosheets modified CdS nanorods for efficient visible light driven photocatalytic hydrogen production. The highest hydrogen production rate achieved 425.8 μmol·h⁻¹ without adding any noble metal cocatalyst under the visible light stimulus, which is 22.4 times that of 1 wt.% Pt-modified CdS. The corresponding apparent quantum yield is 13.9% at 420 nm. It is revealed that the synergistic actions of the interfacial redox shuttle of Cr³⁺/Cr^δ+ and the interfacial electric field enable the efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers between two components via a Z-scheme energy band configuration. Meanwhile, with the hydrogen evolution contribution of Zn²⁺, a remarkable improvement in photocatalytic performance was achieved in contrast to bare CdS. This work provides an effective methodology to construct highly efficient and economically viable photocatalysts for solar H₂ production and mechanistic study.

Plasmonic nanomaterial catalysis is currently at the frontier of photocatalysis, overcoming the limitations of wide bandgap semiconductors for light absorption. Its localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties allow broad ultraviolet–visible–near infrared ray (UV–vis–NIR) absorption, making it an ideal material for solar energy conversion. Most plasmonic nanostructures rely on precious metals. Although noble metal plasmonic nanomaterials have proven to be one of the strategies for enhancing photocatalytic activity, their expensive cost and limitations in light absorption range have hindered their practical application. As a result, noble-metal free plasmonic nanomaterials have risen to the top of the research priority list. Therefore, this paper reviews the fundamental principles and classification of the LSPR effect of noble-metal free plasmonic nanomaterials in photocatalytic and their recent applications in hydrogen generation, carbon dioxide reduction, and pollutant degradation. Specific cases elucidate the possible working mechanism of enhanced photocatalysis by noble-metal free plasmonic nanomaterials. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities for noble-metal free plasmonic nanomaterials in energy conversion and storage are discussed and envisioned.