Non-noble-metal plasmonic parabolic membrane with “pearl necklace” structure for enhanced hydrogen production based on light concentration effect

[Display omitted] •A non-noble-metal plasmonic parabolic membrane with “pearl necklace” structure catalyst is prepared.•Light concentration is realized on basis of plasmonic effect and multiple reflection/absorption effect in parabolic curved surface.•The “pearl necklace” structures induce interface curvature effect for enhancement of water molecules transport process. The high-efficient utilization of sunlight is imperative to inducing a photocatalytic reaction, during which photo-induced electron–hole pairs participate in the redox reaction. The photo-electric effect is the basis for this reaction. The coupled use of sunlight, photo-electric effect and photo-thermal effect, is a significant guidance to realize light concentration, favoring the hydrogen production from water splitting. Here, we prepare an Sn/SnO2-x@Ni-MOF catalyst, a non-noble-metal plasmonic parabolic membrane with a “pearl necklace” structure. The plasmonic thermal effect and unique parabolic curved surface of this catalyst allow concentrated solar energy and multiple light reflection/absorption to be achieved for the high-efficient utilization of sunlight. Furthermore, the Sn/SnO2-x@Ni-MOF “pearl necklace” structure also improves photo-generated carriers’ separation-transfer process by internal Schottky junction between Sn and SnO2-x/Ni-MOF, and helps accelerate water molecules transport based on the interface curvature effect. As a result, a competent rate of 8800 μmol h−1 g−1 with apparent quantum yields of 22.1 % and 16.2 % is achieved at wavelengths of 380 and 420 nm, respectively, providing a promising route for utilizing hydrogen energy.