Query: Plasmonic photocatalysts: harvesting visible light with noble metal nanoparticles

Candidate papers:

abstract: The efforts to produce photocatalysts operating efficiently under visible light have led to a number of plasmonic photocatalysts, in which noble metal nanoparticles are deposited on the surface of polar semiconductor or insulator particles. In the metal semiconductor composite photocatalysts, the noble metal nanoparticles act as a major component for harvesting visible light due to their surface plasmon resonance while the metal semiconductor interface efficiently separates the photogenerated electrons and holes. In this article, we survey various plasmonic photocatalysts that have been prepared and characterized in recent years.
author_names: Peng-peng Wang

Baibiao Huang

Ying Dai

Myung-Hwan Whangbo
title: Plasmonic photocatalysts: harvesting visible light with noble metal nanoparticles.
venue: Physical chemistry chemical physics PCCP
year: 2012

abstract: Harvesting abundant and renewable sunlight in energy production and environmental remediation is an emerging research topic. Indeed, research on solar driven heterogeneous photocatalysis based on surface plasmon resonance has seen rapid growth and potentially opens a technologically promising avenue that can benefit the sustainable development of global energy and the environment. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and photocatalytic properties of plasmonic composites (e.g. hybrid structures) formed by noble metal (e.g. gold, silver) nanoparticles dispersed on a variety of substrates that are composed of metal oxides, silver halides, graphene oxide, among others. Brief introduction of surface plasmon resonance and the synthesis of noble metal based composites are given, followed by highlighting diverse applications of plasmonic photocatalysts in mineralization of organic pollutants, organic synthesis and water splitting. Insights into surface plasmon resonance mediated photocatalysis not only impact the basic science of heterogeneous photocatalysis, but generate new concepts guiding practical technologies such as wastewater treatment, air purification, selective oxidation reactions, selective reduction reactions, and solar to hydrogen energy conversion in an energy efficient and environmentally benign approach. This review ends with a summary and perspectives.
author_names: Xuemei Zhou

Gang Liu

Jiaguo Yu

Wenhong Fan
title: Surface plasmon resonance mediated photocatalysis by noble metal based composites under visible light
year: 2012

abstract: Semimetal bismuth with plasmonic properties has triggered increased interests. In this work, a facile strategy was developed to synthesize the Bi/(BiO)2CO3 (Bi BOC) nanocomposites and Bi elemental photocatalysts. The Bi nanoparticles were produced via the insitu reduction of (BiO)2CO3 by NaBH4. The catalysts were utilized for the photocatalytic NO removal under visible light and UV illumination. Significantly, the photocatalytic capability of the Bi BOC was highly enhanced with an unprecedented NO removal of 63.6% The Bi metal demonstrated a direct plasmonic photocatalytic NO removal ratio of 53.6% under UV irradiation. The significantly enhanced photocatalytic capability of Bi BOC can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of the SPR effect, enhanced visible light harvesting and the efficient electron hole separation induced by Bi nanoparticles. The Bi nanoparticles can perform as a non noble metal based plasmonic cocatalyst for advancing photocatalytic ability. The mechanism of photocatalytic NO oxidation was proposed and compared under both visible light and UV illumination. Furthermore, the Bi BOC photocatalysts showed good photochemical stability under repeated tests. This work could not only offer new insights into in situ fine tune reduction strategy for Bi based photocatalysts, but also proves the potentials of utilizing low cost Bi cocatalysts as a substitute for noble metals to improve other photocatalysts.
author_names: Yanjuan Sun

Zaiwang Zhao

Wendong Zhang

Chunfeng Gao

Yuxin Zhang

Fan Dong
title: Plasmonic Bi metal as cocatalyst and photocatalyst: The case of Bi/(BiO)2CO3 and Bi particles.
venue: Journal of colloid and interface science
year: 2017

abstract: Octahedral anatase particles (OAP) with eight equivalent {101} facets and decahedral anatase particles (DAP) with two additional {001} facets were modified with nanoparticles of noble metals (silver, copper, gold and platinum) by photodeposition, and applied for inactivation of Escherichia coli K12. XRD, DRS, XPS and STEM analyses confirmed the presence of noble metals nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of faceted titania samples. Both OAP and DAP samples modified with silver and copper exhibited high bactericidal activities under visible light irradiation. It was also found that DAP under UV irradiation showed surprisingly high bactericidal activity, which could be attributed to efficient generation of reactive oxygen species, due to intrinsic properties of DAP, i.e. charge carriers' separation (migration of electrons and holes to {101} and {001} facets, respectively) However, an unexpected decrease in activity after DAP modification with gold and platinum NPs (mainly deposited on {101} facets) suggested that bacteria cells were directly decomposed on DAP surface. SEM images revealed that silver modified samples caused severe damages of cell walls and membranes, due to antibacterial properties of silver (in the dark) and photocatalytic effect under visible and UV irradiation.
author_names: Maya Endo

Marcin Janczarek

Zhishun Wei

Kunlei Wang

Agata Markowska-Szczupak

Bunsho Ohtani

Ewa Kowalska
title: Bactericidal Properties of Plasmonic Photocatalysts Composed of Noble Metal Nanoparticles on Faceted Anatase Titania.
venue: Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology
year: 2019

abstract: The utilisation of sunlight as an abundant and renewable resource has motivated the development of sustainable photocatalysts that can collectively harvest visible light. However, the bottleneck in utilising the low energy photons has led to the discovery of plasmonic photocatalysts. The presence of noble metal on the plasmonic photocatalyst enables the harvesting of visible light through the unique characteristic features of the noble metal nanomaterials. Moreover, the formation of interfaces between noble metal particles and semiconductor materials further results in the formation of a Schottky junction. Thereby, the plasmonic characteristics have opened up a new direction in promoting an alternative path that can be of value to the society through sustainable development derived through energy available for all for diverse applications. We have comprehensively prepared this review to specifically focus on fundamental insights into plasmonic photocatalysts, various synthesis routes, together with their strengths and weaknesses, and the interaction of the plasmonic photocatalyst with pollutants as well as the role of active radical generation and identification. The review ends with a pinnacle insight into future perspectives regarding realistic applications of plasmonic photocatalysts.
author_names: Kah Hon Leong

Azrina Abd Aziz

Lan Ching Sim

Pichiah Saravanan

Min Jang

Detlef W Bahnemann
title: Mechanistic insights into plasmonic photocatalysts in utilizing visible light
venue: Beilstein journal of nanotechnology
year: 2018

abstract: Abstract Pd doped Bi 2 MoO 6 was prepared and investigated for the first time. The prepared samples were characterized by their crystal structures, chemical states, atomic compositions, optical properties and morphologies. The photocatalytic activities of prepared samples under visible light irradiation were determined by degradation of phenol, which is widely found in wastewater from many industrial processes and is difficult to destroy. The sample exhibiting the highest removal efficiency with respect to the degradation of phenol contained 2% Pd. The enhancement effect can be interpreted as the integrated effects of a reduction in the rate of electron hole recombination, surface plasmon resonance, and production of Cl 0 This work sheds light on the potential applications of noble metal nanoparticles in visible light driven photocatalysis.
author_names: Xiangchao Meng

Zisheng Zhang
title: Pd doped Bi 2 MoO 6 plasmonic photocatalysts with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance
year: 2017

abstract: Abstract Metal organic framework (MOF) is one of the most promising porous materials in photocatalysis. In this study, copper was deposited on as well as encapsulated in a semiconductor like MOF (UiO 66) to fabricate the Cu/Cu@UiO 66 catalyst via an advanced double solvent approach followed by one step reduction. Even with ultralow amount of copper, Cu/Cu@UiO 66 shows significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity as well as stability for partial oxidation of aromatic alcohols under visible light irradiation. The result is attributed to the integration of plasmonic effect (Cu nanoparticles on UiO 66) and Schottky junction (Cu quantum dots encapsulated in UiO 66) which can be considered as a promising noble metal free way for the enhancement of visible light driven photocatalytic activity of MOFs.
author_names: Liang Xiao

Qi Zhang

Peng Chen

Lang Chen

Feng Ding

Jie Tang

You-ji Li

Chak-tong Au

Shuang-Feng Yin
title: Copper mediated metal organic framework as efficient photocatalyst for the partial oxidation of aromatic alcohols under visible light irradiation: Synergism of plasmonic effect and schottky junction
venue: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
year: 2019

abstract: Visible light driven water splitting (VLWS) into hydrogen and oxygen is attractive and depends on efficient photocatalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the first exploration of the capability to control the morphology of nanostructured TiO2 in conjunction with the choice of a suitable plasmonic metal (PM) to fabricate novel photocatalysts that are capable of harvesting visible light for more efficient VL fuel conversion. This methodology affords us to successful access to the novel plasmonic Pt/TiO2 HA (large Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on TiO2 hierarchical nano architecture (TiO2 HA) photocatalysts that exhibit plasmon absorption in the visible range and consequent outstanding activity and durability for VLWS. Particularly, the Pt/TiO2 HA shows an excellent photocatalytic activity for overall water splitting rather than only for hydrogen evolution (HE) which is superior to those of the conventional plasmonic Au/TiO2 photocatalysts. The synergistic effects of the high Schottky barrier at the Pt TiO2 HA interface, which induces the stronger reduction ability of hot electrons, and intrinsic Pt catalytic activity are responsible for the exceptional photocatalytic performance of Pt/TiO2 HA and simplify the composition of plasmonic photocatalysts.
author_names: Lipei Qin

Guojing Wang

Yiwei Tan
title: Plasmonic Pt nanoparticles TiO2 hierarchical nano architecture as a visible light photocatalyst for water splitting
venue: Scientific Reports
year: 2018

abstract: Abstract The antimicrobial properties of silver and copper have been exploited since ancient times. Presently, their bactericidal properties are commonly used in the application of noble metals in the form of nanoparticles or nanofilms. Photocatalysis is considered one of the best methods for environmental purification because additional chemical compounds, such as strong oxidants, are not introduced into an environment. The enhancement of antimicrobial properties of heterogeneous photocatalysts (e.g. titania) modified with noble metals under irradiation is probably caused by synergism between dark antimicrobial properties of noble metals and photodisinfection properties of photocatalyst (e.g. reactive oxygen species generated on the surface of irradiated semiconductor) Moreover, it is thought that the additional antimicrobial properties originated from plasmonic heating (under visible light irradiation) may enhance final antimicrobial effect. In this chapter, examples of the application of noble metal based materials for decomposition of both chemical and microbiological pollutants are shortly discussed.
author_names: Ewa Kowalska

Maya Endo

Zhishun Wei

Kunlei Wang

Marcin Janczarek
title: Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Water Purification
year: 2019

abstract: Visible light harvesting by heterogeneous photocatalysts and their applications in organic transformation reactions for the synthesis of target molecules are quite demanding science in the current scenario. In this regard, herein, a novel metal (Au/Pd) functionalized metal organic framework (UiO 66 NH2) was synthesized to carry out the Suzuki Miyaura coupling (SMC) reaction under visible light irradiation at ambient conditions. In order to justify the claim regarding the formation of alloys, crystallinity, morphology, particle size, proper separation of excitons, elemental content and their environment, various sensitive characterization techniques such as XRD, XPS, HRTEM, BET surface area and UV vis analysis were employed. A mechanistic approach by means of experimental investigations revealed that the strong LSPR effect of Au facilitated the transfer of electrons to the Pd surface to make the surface negatively charged and suitable for the activation of aryl halides. The formed electropositive Au nanoparticles were converted to Au0 by accepting the photo induced electrons from pristine UiO 66 NH2 and made available only holes at VB for the activation of phenylboronic acid. Among all the synthesized photocatalysts (1 2) Au/Pd@UiO 66 NH2 showed the highest activity >99% with TOF 426 h 1 in an EtOH/H2O medium towards the SMC reaction, and the highest activity of this catalyst was supported by the electron gas model, LSPR effect (UV vis) and active species separation (PL) analysis. The bimetallic noble nanoparticle anchored UiO 66 NH2 not only expands the synthesis scope of C C coupling by the SMC reaction under ambient conditions but will also inspire the further exploration of the activation of various reactants towards a wide range of organic transformation reactions.
author_names: Satyabrata Subudhi

Sriram Mansingh

Suraj Prakash Tripathy

Ashutosh Mohanty

Priyabrat Mohapatra

Dharitri Rath

Kulamani Parida
title: The fabrication of Au/Pd plasmonic alloys on UiO 66 NH2: an efficient visible light induced photocatalyst towards the Suzuki Miyaura coupling reaction under ambient conditions
year: 2019