Photocatalysis Enhanced by Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Due to their unique, size- and shape-tunable surface plasmon resonance, plasmonic nanostructures have recently been explored for increasing the efficiency of photocatalysis. Essentially they enhance and/or broaden solar photon harvesting via improved light scattering, strong near field effect and/or hot electron injection. In this talk, I will present our recent work on the synthesis of plasmonic nanoparticles and hybrid nanomaterials (the assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor photocatalysts) as well as their applications in solar fuel and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in our environments [1-5]. Rational design of hybrid nanomaterials, which is the key to maximize the beneficial plasmonic effects, is highlighted. One example is about developing an in situ ligand method to load cost-effective, plasmonic semiconductor CuS nanoplatelets on rationally selected BiOCL semiconductor nanosheets and nanoplates, with a close interface, monodispersion and relatively large interface. As a result, we achieved the efficient hot hole collection from the CuS nanoplatelets as supported from largely broadened photocatalysis. Theoretical modelling revealed that the transverse mode dominates the hot hole generation and has a greater contribution to photocatalysis than the longitudinal mode. This work demonstrates the feasibility of harvesting hot holes from plasmonic semiconductors and opens a new route for rational design of broadband and cost-effective plasmonic photocatalysts.<br/>Related references:<br/>[1] <i>Applied Catalysis B: Environmental</i>, 2022, 317, 121792<br/>[2] <i>ACS Catalysis</i>, 2017, 7, 6225.<br/>[3] <i>Chemistry of Materials</i>, 2021, 33, 695<br/>[4]<i> Advanced Functional Materials,</i> 2015, 25, 2950<br/>[5] <i>Nature communications</i>, 2022, under revision.