Gold-plasmon enhanced solar-to-hydrogen conversion on the {001} facets of anatase TiO2 nanosheetsElectronic Supplementary Information (ESI) available: Detailed synthesis procedures, TEM, XRD, UV-vis DRS, ESR data, and photocatalytic activity as a function of irradiation time. See DOI: 10.1039/c3ee43289k

A 64-fold improved efficiency of solar-to-hydrogen conversion (SHC) was achieved via exposing Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the {001} facets of anatase TiO 2 nanosheets. The SHC follows a surface plasmon resonance-mediated electron injection mechanism, where Au NPs can not only harvest visible light and convert them to free energetic electrons, but promote the SHC by increasing the electron-hole pair formation rate driven by the electromagnetic field formed nearby the semiconductor. A 64-fold improved efficiency of solar-to-hydrogen conversion was achieved via exposing Au nanoparticles on the {001} facets of anatase TiO 2 nanosheets.