Abstract
Plasmonic metal nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising class of photocatalysts to drive chemical transformations by the photoexcited hot electrons in the NPs. In this work, the dependence of photon-to-chemical conversion efficiency on the size of plasmonic silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has been comprehensively studied with the use of the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue as a probe reaction. Comparison of Ag NPs with two different sizes (6 nm and 13 nm in diameter) highlights that the smaller sized Ag NPs favor the photocatalytic activity by positively translating the high efficiency of hot electron generation to the hot-electron-driven chemical reaction on the surface of the Ag NPs. Loading the small Ag NPs to the dielectric silica nanospheres (SiOX NSs, average diameter of 400 nm) with high surface coverage increases the light absorption power in the Ag NPs due to the surface light scattering resonances of the SiOX NSs and interparticle plasmon coupling of the adjacent Ag NPs. The enhanced light absorption can also be rendered to the improved photocatalytic activity. This design principle of plasmonic photocatalysts provides a promise of utilizing solar energy to drive desirable chemical reactions with high photon-to-chemical conversion efficiency.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
