Silicon Nanowires via Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching for Energy Storage Applications.

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have demonstrated great potential for energy storage due to their exceptional electrical conductivity, large surface area, and wide compositional range. Metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) is a widely used top-down technique for fabricating silicon micro/nanostructures. SiNWs fabricated by MACE exhibit significant surface areas and diverse surface chemistry. Since the material composition and surface chemistry have a significant impact on the electrochemical energy storage performance, integrating SiNWs with diverse materials like porous carbon, metal oxides/sulfides, and polymers, can establish composites with excellent properties. Hence, it is imperative to meticulously fabricate SiNW-based materials with customizable morphologies and enhanced electrochemical energy-storage performance. This review provides an in-depth study of recent advancements in SiNW-based materials with enhanced performance for energy storage systems, such as supercapacitors (SCs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). It includes a concise overview of the history, MACE synthesis, and characteristics of SiNWs. Further, it also explores the key elements that influence the MACE process of SiNWs and delves into structural engineering. Additionally, we introduce recent advances in SiNW-based materials for the design of high-performance energy-storage devices, namely SCs and LIBs. Finally, we present the crucial future prospects of SiNW-based materials for energy-storage applications.

Gravity-assisted gradient size exclusion separation of microparticles by gap-modifiable silicon nanowire arrays.

The separation and detection of microparticles within complex samples pose substantial challenges due to the intricate variations in size and concentration. A strategy employing gravity-assisted gradient size exclusion principle based on controllable gap sizes on the surface of silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) has been established to achieve the separation of microparticles with diverse sizes. The formation of gradient gap sizes was accomplished by meticulously investigating the impact of oxidation-reduction reactions through metal-assisted chemical etching. Particles of different sizes were initially aggregated at the accumulation base, followed by a sequential size exclusion process within the finely regulated 0.9-12.5 µm gradient-gap-sized separation region facilitated with gravity-assisted, leading to a comprehensive separation of microparticles based on their respective size differences, progressing from small to large. The effective separation of four model-sized microparticles demonstrated a separation degree of ≥2.7, purity of ≥96.1 %, RSDs of ≤4.6 %, and a separation capacity of up to 107 particles. The separation efficacy of this gradient-sized chip was verified by evaluating the more complex atmospheric particulates with varying sizes, which exhibited separation degree ranging between 2 and 10. This method offers a precise separation range, easily adjustable separation sizes, and simple operation, rendering it a versatile tool for separating complex samples.

Formation of Armored Silicon Nanowires Array via High-Repetition-Rate Femtosecond Laser Oxidation for Robust Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection.

Superhydrophobic nanostructures with dense hotspots and high concentration efficiency are of paramount importance for highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. However, their low mechanical strength makes them susceptible to damage from external interferences, leading to hotspot loss and superhydrophobicity failure. In this study, robust SERS detection is achieved using an armored superhydrophobic silicon nanowires array. A micro/nanocross-scale oxide mask is created through high-repetition-rate femtosecond laser oxidation to fabricate the armored nanowires array. The underlying mechanisms of the nanoparticle layer serving as a mask in deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) are analyzed to elucidate the formation of the silicon nanowires. The armored nanowires array SERS substrate exhibits a high contact angle of 158°, demonstrating exceptional analyte enrichment capability. Combined with the dense hotspots provided by the high aspect ratio nanostructures, the detection limit for Rhodamine 6G is 10-13 M, and the enhancement factor (EF) is 4.35 × 109. After undergoing various mechanical tests, the substrate maintains its superhydrophobicity along with a stable Raman signal enhancement, demonstrating its resistance to potential external interference in SERS detection. The sensitive detection of various analytes highlights the promising applications of the armored nanowires substrate in diverse SERS scenarios.

Au Nanoparticles@Si Nanowire Oligomer Arrays for SERS: Dimers Are Best.

We report the synthesis of vertically aligned silicon nanowire (VA-SiNW) oligomer arrays coated with Au nanoparticle (NP) monolayers via a combination of colloidal lithography, metal-assisted chemical etching, and directed NP assembly. Arrays of SiNW monomers (i.e., isolated NWs), dimers, and tetramers are synthesized, decorated with AuNPs, and tested for their performance in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The ∼20 nm AuNPs easily enter within the ca. 40 nm gaps of the SiNW oligomers, thus reaching the hot spot region. At 785 nm excitation, the AuNPs@SiNW dimer arrays provide the highest Raman signal, in agreement with electromagnetic simulations showing a high electric field enhancement at the Au/Si interface within the dimer gap region.

Unlocking the Potential of Bi2S3-Derived Bi Nanoplates: Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Selectivity in Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction to Formate.

Various electrocatalysts are extensively examined for their ability to selectively produce desired products by electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, an efficient CO2RR electrocatalyst doesn't ensure an effective co-catalyst on the semiconductor surface for photoelectrochemical CO2RR. Herein, Bi2S3 nanorods are synthesized and electrochemically reduced to Bi nanoplates that adhere to the substrates for application in the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical CO2RR. Compared with commercial-Bi, the Bi2S3-derived Bi (S-Bi) nanoplates on carbon paper exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for formate (HCOO-) in the electrochemical CO2RR, achieving a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 93%, with minimal H2 production over a wide potential range. This highly selective S-Bi catalyst is being employed on the Si photocathode to investigate the behavior of electrocatalysts during photoelectrochemical CO2RR. The strong adhesion of the S-Bi nanoplates to the Si nanowire substrate and their unique catalytic properties afford exceptional activity and selectivity for HCOO- under simulated solar irradiation. The selectivity observed in electrochemical CO2RR using the S-Bi catalyst correlates with that seen in the photoelectrochemical CO2RR system. Combined pulsed potential methods and theoretical analyses reveal stabilization of the OCHO* intermediate on the S-Bi catalyst under specific conditions, which is critical for developing efficient catalysts for CO2-to-HCOO- conversion.

Protection of Si Nanowires against Aß Toxicity by the Inhibition of Aß Aggregation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aß) plaques in the brain. Aß1-42 is the main component of Aß plaque, which is toxic to neuronal cells. Si nanowires (Si NWs) have the advantages of small particle size, high specific surface area, and good biocompatibility, and have potential application prospects in suppressing Aß aggregation. In this study, we employed the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism to grow Si NWs using Au nanoparticles as catalysts in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system. Subsequently, these Si NWs were transferred to a phosphoric acid buffer solution (PBS). We found that Si NWs significantly reduced cell death in PC12 cells (rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells) induced by Aß1-42 oligomers via double staining with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and fluorescein diacetate/propyl iodide (FDA/PI). Most importantly, pre-incubated Si NWs largely prevented Aß1-42 oligomer-induced PC12 cell death, suggesting that Si NWs exerts an anti-Aß neuroprotective effect by inhibiting Aß aggregation. The analysis of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) results demonstrates that Si NWs reduce the toxicity of fibrils and oligomers by intervening in the formation of ß-sheet structures, thereby protecting the viability of nerve cells. Our findings suggest that Si NWs may be a potential therapeutic agent for AD by protecting neuronal cells from the toxicity of Aß1-42.

Single-Molecule Electrical Profiling of Peptides and Proteins.

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the application of single-molecule electrical analysis platforms in studying proteins and peptides. These advanced analysis methods have the potential for deep investigation of enzymatic working mechanisms and accurate monitoring of dynamic changes in protein configurations, which are often challenging to achieve in ensemble measurements. In this work, the prominent research progress in peptide and protein-related studies are surveyed using electronic devices with single-molecule/single-event sensitivity, including single-molecule junctions, single-molecule field-effect transistors, and nanopores. In particular, the successful commercial application of nanopores in DNA sequencing has made it one of the most promising techniques in protein sequencing at the single-molecule level. From single peptides to protein complexes, the correlation between their electrical characteristics, structures, and biological functions is gradually being established. This enables to distinguish different molecular configurations of these biomacromolecules through real-time electrical monitoring of their life activities, significantly improving the understanding of the mechanisms underlying various life processes.

Isoporous Membrane Mediated Imprinting Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Spatially-Resolved Metabolomics and Rapid Histopathological Diagnosis.

Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) holds great value in spatial metabolomics and tumor diagnosis. Tissue imprinting on the SALDI target can avoid laser-induced tissue ablation and simplifies the sample preparation. However, the tissue imprinting process always causes lateral diffusion of biomolecules, thereby losing the fidelity of metabolite distribution on tissue. Herein, a membrane-mediated imprinting mass spectrometry imaging (MMI-MSI) strategy is proposed using isoporous nuclepore track-etched membrane as a mediating imprinting layer to selectively transport metabolites through uniform and vertical pores onto silicon nanowires (SiNWs) array. Compared with conventional direct imprinting technique, MMI-MSI can not only exclude the adsorption of large biomolecules but also avoid the lateral diffusion of metabolites. The whole time for MMI-based sample preparation can be reduced to 2 min, and the lipid peak number can increase from 46 to 113 in kidney tissue detection. Meanwhile, higher resolution of MSI can be achieved due to the confinement effect of the pore channel in the diffusion of metabolites. Based on MMI-MSI, the tumor margins of liver cancer can be clearly discriminated and their different subtypes can be precisely classified. This work demonstrates MMI-MSI is a rapid, highly sensitive, robust and high-resolution technique for spatially-resolved metabolomics and pathological diagnosis.

Deterministic Single-Row-Droplet Catalyst Formation for Uniform Growth Integration of High-Density Silicon Nanowires.

Planar silicon nanowires (SiNWs), grown by using low temperature catalytic approaches, are excellent 1D channel materials for developing high-performance logics and sensors. However, a deterministic position and size control of the metallic catalyst droplets, that lead to the growth of SiNWs, remains still a significant challenge for reliable device integration. In this work, we present a convenient but powerful edge-trimming catalyst formation strategy, which can help to produce a rather uniform single-row of indium (In) catalyst droplets of Dcat = 67 ± 5 nm in diameter, with an exact one-droplet-on-one-step arrangement. This approach marks a significant achievement in self-assembled catalyst formation and offers a foundation to attain a reliable and scalable growth of density SiNW channels, via an in-plane solid-liquid-solid (IPSLS) mechanism, with a uniform diameter down to Dnw = 35 ± 4 nm, and do not rely on high-precision lithography techniques. Prototype SiNW-based field effect transistors (FETs) are also fabricated, with a high Ion/Ioff current ratio and small subthreshold swing of >107 and 262 mV·dec-1, respectively, indicating a reliable new routine to integrate a wide range of SiNW-based logic, sensor, and display applications.

Quantification of Plasma Dopamine in Depressed Patients Using Silver-Enriched Silicon Nanowires as SERS-Active Substrates.

A decrease in the levels of dopamine (DA)─a key catecholamine biomarker for major depressive disorder─highlights the need for quantitative analysis of biological fluids to aid in the early diagnosis of diverse neuropsychiatric disorders. This study developed silicon nanowires enriched with silver nanoparticles to serve as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate to enable precise and sensitive quantification of blood plasma DA levels in humans. The silver-enriched silicon nanowires (SiNWs@Ag) yielded flower-like assemblies with densely populated SERS "hot spots," allowing sensitive DA detection. By correlating DA concentration with Raman intensity at 1156 cm-1, the plasma DA levels in treatment-naïve patients with major depression (n = 18) were 2 orders of magnitude lower than those in healthy controls (n = 18) (6.56 × 10-10 M vs 1.43 × 10-8 M). The plasma DA concentrations differed significantly between the two groups (two-tailed p = 5.77×10-7), highlighting a distinct demarcation between depression patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, the SiNWs@Ag substrate effectively differentiated between DA and norepinephrine (NE) in mixtures at nanomolar levels, demonstrating its selective detection capability. This study represents the first report on the quantitative detection of DA levels in human blood samples from individuals with major depression using an SERS technique, emphasizing its potential clinical utility in the evaluation and diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Surface Modification of Silicon Nanowires with Siloxane Molecules for High-Performance Hydrovoltaic Devices.

Hydrovoltaic devices (HDs) based on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have attracted significant attention due to their potential of high output power and good compatibility with Si-based photovoltaic devices for integrated power systems. However, it remains a major challenge to further improve the output performance of SiNW HDs for practical applications. Here, a new strategy to modify the surface of SiNWs with siloxane molecules is proposed to improve the output performance of the SiNW HDs. After modification, both the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) of n-type SiNW HDs can be improved by approximately 30%, while the output power density can be greatly increased by over 200%. With siloxane modification, Si-OH groups on the surface of typical SiNWs are replaced by Si-O-Si chemical bonds that have a weaker electron-withdrawing capability. More free electrons in n-type SiNWs are liberated from surface bound states and participate in directed flow induced by water evaporation, thereby improving the output performance of HDs. The improved performance is significant for system integration applications as it reduces the number of required devices. Three siloxane-modified SiNW HDs in series are able to drive a 2 V light-emitting diode (LED), whereas four unmodified devices in series are initially needed for the same task. This work provides a simple yet effective strategy for surface modification to improve the output performance of SiNW HDs. Further research into the effect of different surface modifications on the performance of SiNW HDs will greatly promote their performance enhancement and practical applications.

TiO2 nanorods decorated Si nanowire hierarchical structures for UV light activated photocatalytic application.

Water remediation techniques like photolysis have recently piqued the interest of many researchers due to water contamination resulting from heavy industrialization and urbanization. In the current work, as-synthesized TiO2 nanorod decorated vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) leads to a hierarchical morphological structure formation. The photocatalytic nature of the fabricated SiNW/TiO2 nanoheterojunction is examined by the dye degradation of textile pollutants like methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB), and eosin B (EB). The catalytic dye degradation investigations revealed that 4 h hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 on the surface of SiNW (ST4) exhibited excellent catalytic behaviour. In the presence of H2O2 and UV irradiation, the ST4 nanoheterostructure can degrade 98.89% of the model pollutant methylene blue (MB) in 15 min, demonstrating remarkable photocatalytic performance. The direct Z-scheme heterojunction exhibited by the SiNW/TiO2 structure facilitates a more efficient charge transfer mechanism with higher reducing and oxidizing ability leading to enhanced photocatalytic behaviour. The degradation pathway examined by LC-MS studies demonstrated the complete breakdown of the organic MB dye molecules ultimately mineralizing into CO2, H2O, and other inorganic substances. The photocatalyst ST4 exhibited excellent reusability and stability after multiple cycles of dye degradation enabling its use in practical water purification purposes.

SERS-based detection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone in spiked fresh plasma and microdialysate matrix by using silver-functionalized silicon nanowire substrates.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is an important tool in precision medicine as it allows estimating pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects of drugs in clinical settings. An accurate, fast and real-time determination of the drug concentrations in patients ensures fast decision-making processes at the bedside to optimize the clinical treatment. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which is based on the application of metallic nanostructured substrates to amplify the inherent weak Raman signal, is a promising technique in medical research due to its molecular specificity and trace sensitivity accompanied with short detection times. Therefore, we developed a SERS-based detection scheme using silicon nanowires decorated with silver nanoparticles, fabricated by means of top-down etching combined with chemical deposition, to detect the antibiotic ceftriaxone (CRO) in spiked fresh plasma and microdialysis samples. We successfully detected CRO in both matrices with an LOD of 94 µM in protein-depleted fresh plasma and 1.4 µM in microdialysate.

Alkoxysilane-Mediated Decoration of Si Nanowires Vertical Arrays with Au Nanoparticles as Improved SERS-Active Platforms.

The search for improved transducers to fabricate better-performing (bio)sensors is a challenging but rewarding endeavor aiming to better diagnose and treat diseases. In this paper, we report on the decoration of a dense vertical array of ultrathin silicon nanowires (Si NWs), produced by metal-assisted chemical etching, with 20 nm gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. To optimize the production of a uniform 3D SERS active platform, we tested different Si NW surface functionalizations with various alkoxysilanes before Au decoration. Scanning electron microscopy investigations confirm that Au NPs decorate both bare and (3-glycidiloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS)-modified Si NWs with a high surface coverage uniformity. The SERS response of the decorated NWs was probed using a model dye system (methylene blue; MB) at 633 and 785 nm excitation wavelengths. The GPTMS-modified NWs present the highest enhancements of 2.9 and 2.6 for the 450 cm-1 and 1625 cm-1 peaks under 785 nm excitation and of 10.8 and 5.3 for the 450 cm-1 and 1625 cm-1 peaks under 633 nm excitation. These results demonstrate the perspective role of Si NWs decorated with Au NPs as a low-cost 3D SERS platform.

pH Quantification in Human Dermal Interstitial Fluid Using Ultra-Thin SOI Silicon Nanowire ISFETs and a High-Sensitivity Constant-Current Approach.

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to utilize silicon nanowires as high-sensitivity pH sensors. Our approach works based on fixing the current bias of silicon nanowires Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ISFETs) and monitor the resulting drain voltage as the sensing signal. By fine tuning the injected current levels, we can optimize the sensing conditions according to different sensor requirements. This method proves to be highly suitable for real-time and continuous measurements of biomarkers in human biofluids. To validate our approach, we conducted experiments, with real human sera samples to simulate the composition of human interstitial fluid (ISF), using both the conventional top-gate approach and the optimized constant current method. We successfully demonstrated pH sensing within the physiopathological range of 6.5 to 8, achieving an exceptional level of accuracy in this complex matrix. Specifically, we obtained a maximum error as low as 0.92% (equivalent to 0.07 pH unit) using the constant-current method at the optimal current levels (1.71% for top-gate). Moreover, by utilizing different pools of human sera with varying total protein content, we demonstrated that the protein content among patients does not impact the sensors' performance in pH sensing. Furthermore, we tested real-human ISF samples collected from volunteers. The obtained accuracy in this scenario was also outstanding, with an error as low as 0.015 pH unit using the constant-current method and 0.178 pH unit in traditional top-gate configuration.

Nanomechanical Sensing for Mass Flow Control in Nanowire-Based Open Nanofluidic Systems.

Open nanofluidic systems, where liquids flow along the outer surface of nanoscale structures, provide otherwise unfeasible capabilities for extremely miniaturized liquid handling applications. A critical step toward fully functional applications is to obtain quantitative mass flow control. We demonstrate the application of nanomechanical sensing for this purpose by integrating voltage-driven liquid flow along nanowire open channels with mass detection based on flexural resonators. This approach is validated by assembling the nanowires with microcantilever resonators, enabling high-precision control of larger flows, and by using the nanowires as resonators themselves, allowing extremely small liquid volume handling. Both implementations are demonstrated by characterizing voltage-driven flow of ionic liquids along the surface of the nanowires. We find a voltage range where mass flow rate follows a nonlinear monotonic increase, establishing a steady flow regime for which we show mass flow control at rates from below 1 ag/s to above 100 fg/s and precise liquid handling down to the zeptoliter scale. The observed behavior of mass flow rate is consistent with a voltage-induced transition from static wetting to dynamic spreading as the mechanism underlying liquid transport along the nanowires.

Dewetting-Assisted Patterning: A Lithography-Free Route to Synthesize Black and Colored Silicon.

We report the use of thermal dewetting to structure gold-based catalytic etching masks for metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE). The approach involves low-temperature dewetting of metal films to generate metal holey meshes with tunable morphologies. Combined with MACE, dewetting-assisted patterning is a simple, benchtop route to synthesize Si nanotubes, Si nanowalls, and Si nanowires with defined dimensions and optical properties. The approach is compatible with the synthesis of both black and colored nanostructured silicon substrates. In particular, we report the lithography-free fabrication of silicon nanowires with diameters down to 40 nm that support leaky wave-guiding modes, giving rise to vibrant colors. Additionally, micrometer-sized areas with tunable film composition and thickness were patterned via shadow masking. After dewetting and MACE, such patterned metal films produced regions with distinct nanostructured silicon morphologies and colors. To-date, the fabrication of colored silicon has relied on complicated nanoscale patterning processes. Dewetting-assisted patterning provides a simpler alternative that eliminates this requirement. Finally, the simple transfer of resonant SiNWs into ethanolic solutions with well-defined light absorption properties is reported. Such solution-dispersible SiNWs could open new avenues for the fabrication of ultrathin optoelectronic devices with enhanced and tunable light absorption.

Application of Silicon Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (SiNW-FET) Biosensor with High Sensitivity.

As a new type of one-dimensional semiconductor nanometer material, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) possess good application prospects in the field of biomedical sensing. SiNWs have excellent electronic properties for improving the detection sensitivity of biosensors. The combination of SiNWs and field effect transistors (FETs) formed one special biosensor with high sensitivity and target selectivity in real-time and label-free. Recently, SiNW-FETs have received more attention in fields of biomedical detection. Here, we give a critical review of the progress of SiNW-FETs, in particular, about the reversible surface modification methods. Moreover, we summarized the applications of SiNW-FETs in DNA, protein, and microbial detection. We also discuss the related working principle and technical approaches. Our review provides an extensive discussion for studying the challenges in the future development of SiNW-FETs.

Sybodies as Novel Bioreceptors toward Field-Effect Transistor-Based Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has increased the demand for low-cost, portable, and rapid biosensors, driving huge research efforts toward new nanomaterial-based approaches with high sensitivity. Many of them employ antibodies as bioreceptors, which have a costly development process that requires animal facilities. Recently, sybodies emerged as a new alternative class of synthetic binders and receptors with high antigen binding efficiency, improved chemical stability, and lower production costs via animal-free methods. Their smaller size is an important asset to consider in combination with ultrasensitive field-effect transistors (FETs) as transducers, which respond more intensely when biorecognition occurs near their surface. This work demonstrates the immobilization of sybodies against the spike protein of the virus on silicon surfaces, which are often integral parts of the semiconducting channel of FETs. Immobilized sybodies maintain the capability to capture antigens, even at low concentrations in the femtomolar range, as observed by fluorescence microscopy. Finally, the first proof of concept of sybody-modified FET sensing is provided using a nanoscopic silicon net as the sensitive area where the sybodies are immobilized. The future development of further sybodies against other biomarkers and their generalization in biosensors could be critical to decrease the cost of biodetection platforms in future pandemics.

Enhanced H2O2 Upcycling into Hydroxyl Radicals with GO/Ni:FeOOH-Coated Silicon Nanowire Photocatalysts for Wastewater Treatment.

There remains continued interest in improving the advanced water oxidation process [e.g., ultraviolet (UV)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)] for more efficient and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and performance of graphene oxide (GO, on top)/nickel-doped iron oxyhydroxide (Ni:FeOOH, shell)/silicon nanowires (SiNWs, core) as a new multifunctional photocatalyst for the degradation of common pollutants like polystyrene and methylene blue through enhancing the hydroxyl radical (•OH) production rate of the UV/H2O2 system. The photocatalyst combines the advantages of a large surface area and light absorption characteristics of SiNWs with heterogeneous photo-Fenton active Ni:FeOOH and photocatalytically active/charge separator GO. In addition, the built-in electric field of GO/Ni:FeOOH/SiNWs facilitates the charge separation of electrons to GO and holes to Ni:FeOOH, thus boosting the photocatalytic performance. Our photocatalyst increases the •OH yield by 5.7 times compared with that of a blank H2O2 solution sample and also extends the light absorption spectrum to include visible light irradiation.