A cluster/semiconductor model is built for exploring the role of noble
metal clusters in a photocatalytic system. The
incorporation of an atomically precise nanocluster, e.g. Ag<sub>44</sub>(SR)<sub>30</sub>,
onto a large band gap semiconductor such as TiO<sub>2</sub> allows to obtain a
clear interface and thus simplify the system. The composite is employed for
photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> generation. It’s found that changing the light
source from visible light to simulated sunlight leads to an enhancement by
three orders of magnitude. The H<sub>2</sub> production rate reaches 7.4
mmol/h/g<sub>catalyst</sub> which is five times higher than that of Ag nanoparticles
modified TiO<sub>2</sub> and even comparable to that of the similar conditioned
Pt nanoparticle modified TiO<sub>2</sub>. Energy band alignment and transient
absorption spectroscopy, together with other studies, reveal that the role of
the metal clusters is different from both organometallic complexes and
plasmonic-nanoparticles. A type-II heterojunction charge transfer route is
achieved under UV-vis irradiation, in which the cluster serves as small band
gap semiconductor. The type-II photosystem has a more efficient charge
separation ability, which contributes significantly to the enhanced catalytic
performance. This finding endows the clusters a broad platform as cocatalysts
rather than merely photosensitizers in the applications of light energy
conversion.