Plasmonic photocatalysis applied to solar fuels

Abstract

We show the impact of structural, chemical and interfacial features of gold–titania composites on solar and visible photocatalytic gas phase reduction of CO2 and the specificities of the hot electron-based process.

Simple experimental procedures to distinguish photothermal from hot-carrier processes in plasmonics

“…In this context, although they may be less appealing from a fundamental point of view, photothermal effects are not necessarily detrimental, as they also contribute to an increase in the reaction rates. In plasmonic-assisted chemistry, however, non-thermal activation mechanisms are often more attractive for at least two reasons: (i) they can increase the selectivity or specificity of a plasmonic catalyst by activating reaction pathways that are typically thermally inaccessible 80,81,91 , and (ii) they can increase the activity of a catalyst and accelerate the rate of chemical reactions at milder than usual temperatures, hence preventing undesired effects, such as degradation of the catalyst or chemicals (coking) and loss of selectivity. For this reason, to ascertain the relevance of using light rather than heat to activate a particular chemical reaction, it is of paramount importance to test whether simple heating of the sample can yield the same results in terms of reaction rate enhancements or selectivity of the products.…”

Hot electron science in plasmonics and catalysis: what we argue about

“…22 . (e-i) Varieties of nanostructures for improving and enhancing photocatalysis [23][24][25][26][27] .…”

Renewable Energy Nanosources for Sustainable Biomass Conversion

“…4 These hot charge carriers can in principle be harvested as such in the femto-to pico-second timescale, or as a source of localized heat after thermalization, before all the LSPR energy is dissipated. For example, hot electrons are believed to be responsible for the peculiar features of the few plasmonic catalytic (and photocatalytic 5 ) reactions studied so far. 6 By reaching energy levels far above the Fermi level of the metal, hot electrons could in principle populate antibonding orbitals of molecules directly adsorbed on the plasmonic nanoparticle, thereby destabilizing and ultimately breaking internal bonds in the adsorbate.…”