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Luo Z, Shehzad A. Advances in Naked Metal Clusters for Catalysis. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300715. [PMID: 38450926 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The properties of sub-nano metal clusters are governed by quantum confinement and their large surface-to-bulk ratios, atomically precise compositions and geometric/electronic structures. Advances in metal clusters lead to new opportunities in diverse aspects of sciences including chemo-sensing, bio-imaging, photochemistry, and catalysis. Naked metal clusters having synergic multiple active sites and coordinative unsaturation and tunable stability/activity enable researchers to design atomically precise metal catalysts with tailored catalysis for different reactions. Here we summarize the progress of ligand-free naked metal clusters for catalytic applications. It is anticipated that this review helps to better understand the chemistry of small metal clusters and facilitates the design and development of new catalysts for potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixun Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Aamir Shehzad
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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2
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Elibol K, van Aken PA. Hybrid Graphene-Supported Aluminum Plasmonics. ACS NANO 2022; 16:11931-11943. [PMID: 35904978 PMCID: PMC9413403 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Controlled fabrication of devices for plasmonics on suspended graphene enables obtaining tunable localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), reducing the red-shift of LSPRs, and creating hybrid 3D-2D systems promising for adjustable dipole-dipole coupling and plasmon-mediated catalysis. Here, we apply a low-cost fabrication methodology to produce patterned aluminum nanostructures (bowties and tetramers) on graphene monolayers via electron-beam lithography and trap platinum (Pt) nanoclusters (NCs) within their hotspots by thermal annealing. We reveal the LSPRs of aluminum plasmonics on graphene using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) in a monochromated scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The LSPRs of these nanostructures are measured to be between visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum and are confirmed by electromagnetic simulations. The antibonding dipole and bonding dipole modes of both structures are tuned by controlling their gap size. The tetramers enable the simultaneous excitation of both antibonding and bonding dipole modes at the poles of nanoprisms, while bowties allow us to excite these modes separately either at the poles or within the hotspot. We further show that the hybrid nanocavity-NC systems are in the intermediate coupling regime providing an enhanced plasmon absorption in the Pt NCs via the energy transfer from the antibonding dipole mode to the Pt NCs. The dipole LSPR of Pt NCs also couples to the bonding-type breathing mode in bowties. Our findings suggest that these hybrid nanocavity-graphene systems are of high application potential for plasmon-mediated catalysis, surface-enhanced fluorescence, and quantum technologies.
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Ninakanti R, Dingenen F, Borah R, Peeters H, Verbruggen SW. Plasmonic Hybrid Nanostructures in Photocatalysis: Structures, Mechanisms, and Applications. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2022; 380:40. [PMID: 35951165 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-022-00390-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
(Sun)Light is an abundantly available sustainable source of energy that has been used in catalyzing chemical reactions for several decades now. In particular, studies related to the interaction of light with plasmonic nanostructures have been receiving increased attention. These structures display the unique property of localized surface plasmon resonance, which converts light of a specific wavelength range into hot charge carriers, along with strong local electromagnetic fields, and/or heat, which may all enhance the reaction efficiency in their own way. These unique properties of plasmonic nanoparticles can be conveniently tuned by varying the metal type, size, shape, and dielectric environment, thus prompting a research focus on rationally designed plasmonic hybrid nanostructures. In this review, the term "hybrid" implies nanomaterials that consist of multiple plasmonic or non-plasmonic materials, forming complex configurations in the geometry and/or at the atomic level. We discuss the synthetic techniques and evolution of such hybrid plasmonic nanostructures giving rise to a wide variety of material and geometric configurations. Bimetallic alloys, which result in a new set of opto-physical parameters, are compared with core-shell configurations. For the latter, the use of metal, semiconductor, and polymer shells is reviewed. Also, more complex structures such as Janus and antenna reactor composites are discussed. This review further summarizes the studies exploiting plasmonic hybrids to elucidate the plasmonic-photocatalytic mechanism. Finally, we review the implementation of these plasmonic hybrids in different photocatalytic application domains such as H2 generation, CO2 reduction, water purification, air purification, and disinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeshreddy Ninakanti
- Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fons Dingenen
- Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rituraj Borah
- Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Peeters
- Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sammy W Verbruggen
- Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Habib NR, Asedegbega-Nieto E, Taddesse AM, Diaz I. Non-noble MNP@MOF materials: synthesis and applications in heterogeneous catalysis. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:10340-10353. [PMID: 34241616 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt01531a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transition metals have a long history in heterogeneous catalysis. Noble or precious transition metals have been widely used in this field. The advantage of noble and precious metals is obvious in 'heterogeneous catalysis'. However, the choice of Earth abundant metals is a sustainable alternative due to their abundance and low cost. Preparing these metals in the nanoscale dimension increases their surface area which also increases the catalytic reactions of these materials. Nevertheless, metals are unstable in the nanoparticle form and tend to form aggregates which restrict their applications. Loading metal nanoparticles (MNPs) into highly porous materials is among the many alternatives for combating the unstable nature of the active species. Among porous materials, highly crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are an assembly of metal ions/clusters with organic ligands, are the best candidate. MOFs, on their own, possess catalytic activity derived from the linkers and metal ions or clusters. The catalytic properties of both non-noble metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and MOFs can be improved by loading non-noble MNPs in MOFs yielding MNP@MOF composites with a variety of potential applications, given the synergy and based on the nature of the MNP and MOF. Here, we discussed the synthesis of MNP@MOF materials and the applications of non-noble MNP@MOF materials in heterogeneous catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esther Asedegbega-Nieto
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Técnica, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, c/Senda del Rey no. 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Abi M Taddesse
- Department of Chemistry, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia
| | - Isabel Diaz
- Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, CSIC, c/Marie Curie 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Cui C, Jia Y, Zhang H, Geng L, Luo Z. Plasma-Assisted Chain Reactions of Rh 3+ Clusters with Dinitrogen: N≡N Bond Dissociation. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:8222-8230. [PMID: 32902294 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Dinitrogen activation is known as one of the most challenging subjects in chemistry. A number of well-defined metal complexes, nitrides, and clusters have been studied that show catalysis for dinitrogen activation. However, direct evidence of a complete cleavage of the N≡N triple bond at mild conditions is rather limited to date. Herein, we report a study on the dissociation of N2 on small rhodium clusters assisted by surface plasma radiation. From mass spectrometry observation, a few rhodium nitride clusters with an odd number of nitrogen atoms are produced, such as the Rh3N2m-1+ (m = 1-5) series, indicative of N≡N bond dissociation in the mild plasma atmosphere. Interestingly, Rh3N7+ is identified with outstanding mass abundance among the RhnN2m-1+ products, and its ground-state structure is in the form of Rh3N(N2)3+ by capping a nitrogen atom on the top of Rh3+ plane and hanging three N2 molecules beneath the three Rh atoms respectively, giving rise to a C3v symmetry and excellent stability. We demonstrate the catalysis of such a three-atom rhodium cluster and reveal a dinitrogen activation strategy by thermodynamics- and dynamics- favorable chain reactions of multiple N2 molecules with two rhodium clusters under plasma atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaonan Cui
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
| | - Yuhan Jia
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Hanyu Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
| | - Lijun Geng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
| | - Zhixun Luo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
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Nguyen D, Wallum A, Nguyen HA, Nguyen NT, Lyding JW, Gruebele M. Imaging of Carbon Nanotube Electronic States Polarized by the Field of an Excited Quantum Dot. ACS NANO 2019; 13:1012-1018. [PMID: 30605600 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Efficient heat dissipation and large gate capacitance have made carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNT FETs) devices of interest for over 20 years. The mechanism of CNT FETs involves localization of the electronic structure due to a transverse electric field, yet little is known about the localization effect, nor has the electronic polarization been visualized directly. Here, we co-deposit PbS quantum dots (QDs) with CNTs and optically excite the QD so its excited-state dipolar field biases the local environment of a CNT. Using single-molecule absorption scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that the electronic states of the CNT become transversely localized. By nudging QDs to different distances from the CNT, the magnitude of the localization can be controlled. Different bias voltages probe the degree of localization in different CNT excited states. A simple tight-binding model for the CNT in an electrostatic field provides a semiquantitative model for the observed behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nhan T Nguyen
- Faculty of Chemistry , VNU-University of Science , Hanoi 10000 , Vietnam
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Nguyen HA, Banerjee P, Nguyen D, Lyding JW, Gruebele M, Jain PK. STM Imaging of Localized Surface Plasmons on Individual Gold Nanoislands. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:1970-1976. [PMID: 29609463 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An optically modulated scanning tunneling microscopy technique developed for measurement of single-molecule optical absorption is used here to image the light absorption by individual Au nanoislands and Au nanostructures. The technique is shown to spatially map, with nanometer resolution, localized surface plasmons (LSPs) excited within the nanoislands. Electrodynamic simulations demonstrate the correspondence of the measured images to plasmonic near-field intensity maps. The optical STM imaging technique captures the wavelength, polarization, and geometry dependence of the LSP resonances and their corresponding near-fields. Thus, we introduce a tool for real-space, nanometer-scale visualization of optical energy absorption, transport, and dissipation in complex plasmonic nanostructures.
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