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Open Access Research Article Just Accepted
Dual-plasmonic CuxSbyS/Cu heteronanostructures: Efficient photocatalysts for ammonia borane methanolysis dehydrogenation
Nano Research
Available online: 22 June 2026
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Plasmonic nanotubes are promising for photocatalysis due to their hollow structure, strong light−matter coupling, enhanced scattering, short charge paths, and abundant active sites. However, their synthesis is challenging, with few reports. Uniform CuxSbyS nanotubes and CuxSbyS/Cu dual-plasmonic heteronanostructures were synthesized via direct colloidal hot-injection by controlling reaction parameters. In ammonia borane methanol dehydrogenation, the heterostructure achieves a hydrogen production rate (690.17 mmol H2 g1 cat. h1) 5.5× higher than CuxSbyS nanotubes (126.21 mmol H2 g1 cat. h1) and 198.9× that of Cu nanoparticles (3.47 mmol H2 g1 cat. h1), demonstrating stability over 10 cycles. Synergistic effects drive activity: hollow structure improves light harvesting and surface exposure; CuxSbyS/Cu interface enables charge separation and transfer, reducing recombination; strong plasmonic absorption enhances photon utilization. Results confirm electron transfer from CuxSbyS to Cu, stabilizing nanoparticles and improving durability. Density functional theory identifies CH3OBH2NH3 desorption (not O−H cleavage) as the rate-determining step, offering new mechanistic insight. This method enables applications in solar hydrogen production, environmental purification, and energy-efficient conversion for sustainable energy and green chemistry.

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