1
|
Dey A, Silveira VR, Vadell RB, Lindblad A, Lindblad R, Shtender V, Görlin M, Sá J. Exploiting hot electrons from a plasmon nanohybrid system for the photoelectroreduction of CO 2. Commun Chem 2024; 7:59. [PMID: 38509134 PMCID: PMC10954701 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmonic materials convert light into hot carriers and heat to mediate catalytic transformation. The participation of hot carriers (photocatalysis) remains a subject of vigorous debate, often argued on the basis that carriers have ultrashort lifetime incompatible with drive photochemical processes. This study utilises plasmon hot electrons directly in the photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO via a Ppasmonic nanohybrid. Through the deliberate construction of a plasmonic nanohybrid system comprising NiO/Au/ReI(phen-NH2)(CO)3Cl (phen-NH2 = 1,10-Phenanthrolin-5-amine) that is unstable above 580 K; it was possible to demonstrate hot electrons are the main culprit in CO2 reduction. The engagement of hot electrons in the catalytic process is derived from many approaches that cover the processes in real-time, from ultrafast charge generation and separation to catalysis occurring on the minute scale. Unbiased in situ FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the stepwise reduction of the catalytic system. This, coupled with the low thermal stability of the ReI(phen-NH2)(CO)3Cl complex, explicitly establishes plasmonic hot carriers as the primary contributors to the process. Therefore, mediating catalytic reactions by plasmon hot carriers is feasible and holds promise for further exploration. Plasmonic nanohybrid systems can leverage plasmon's unique photophysics and capabilities because they expedite the carrier's lifetime.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ananta Dey
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Physical Chemistry division, Uppsala University, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vitor R Silveira
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Physical Chemistry division, Uppsala University, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robert Bericat Vadell
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Physical Chemistry division, Uppsala University, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lindblad
- Department of Physics, Division of X-ray Photon Science, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecka Lindblad
- Department of Physics, Division of X-ray Photon Science, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vitalii Shtender
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Division of Applied Materials Science, Uppsala University, 75103, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikaela Görlin
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Structural Chemistry division, Uppsala University, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jacinto Sá
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Physical Chemistry division, Uppsala University, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Marcina Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Manuel AP, Shankar K. Hot Electrons in TiO 2-Noble Metal Nano-Heterojunctions: Fundamental Science and Applications in Photocatalysis. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1249. [PMID: 34068571 PMCID: PMC8151081 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Plasmonic photocatalysis enables innovation by harnessing photonic energy across a broad swathe of the solar spectrum to drive chemical reactions. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest developments and issues for advanced research in plasmonic hot electron driven photocatalytic technologies focusing on TiO2-noble metal nanoparticle heterojunctions. In-depth discussions on fundamental hot electron phenomena in plasmonic photocatalysis is the focal point of this review. We summarize hot electron dynamics, elaborate on techniques to probe and measure said phenomena, and provide perspective on potential applications-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, CO2 photoreduction, and photoelectrochemical water splitting-that benefit from this technology. A contentious and hitherto unexplained phenomenon is the wavelength dependence of plasmonic photocatalysis. Many published reports on noble metal-metal oxide nanostructures show action spectra where quantum yields closely follow the absorption corresponding to higher energy interband transitions, while an equal number also show quantum efficiencies that follow the optical response corresponding to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). We have provided a working hypothesis for the first time to reconcile these contradictory results and explain why photocatalytic action in certain plasmonic systems is mediated by interband transitions and in others by hot electrons produced by the decay of particle plasmons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay P. Manuel
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada;
| | - Karthik Shankar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada;
- Future Energy Systems Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1K4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|