Core-Shell Bimetallic Nanoparticle Trimers for Efficient Light-to-Chemical Energy Conversion

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electromagnetic hotspots in plasmonic core-shell nanoparticle trimers enhance visible light photocatalysis, combining experimental synthesis and computational analysis to optimize energy conversion.

Contribution

It introduces a novel synthetic method for Au nanoparticle trimers with catalytic metal shells, demonstrating the synergy of geometry and composition in plasmonic catalysis.

Findings

Hotspots significantly boost photocatalytic efficiency.

Core-shell structures enable effective energy harvesting and reactivity.

Geometry and composition synergistically enhance catalytic performance.

Abstract

Incorporation of catalytically active materials into plasmonic metal nanostructures can efficiently merge the reactivity and energy harvesting abilities of both types of materials for visible light photocatalysis. Here we explore the influence of electromagnetic hotspots in the ability of plasmonic core-shell colloidal structures to induce chemical transformations. For this study, we developed a synthetic strategy for the fabrication of Au nanoparticle (NP) trimers in aqueous solution through fine controlled galvanic replacement between Ag nanoprisms and Au precursors. Core-shell Au@M NP trimers with catalytically active metals (M = Pd, Pt) were subsequently synthesized using Au NP trimers as templates. Our experimental and computational results highlight the synergy of geometry and composition in plasmonic catalysts for plasmon-driven chemical reactions.