Core–Shell Nanostructure-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Surface Catalysis

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00545
• Publication Date: 2020-02-07T15:46:11Z
• Authors: Hua Zhang; Sai Duan; Petar M. Radjenovic; Zhong-Qun Tian; Jian-Feng Li
• Keywords: Nanomaterial-based catalyst; Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

ConspectusThe rational design of highly efficient catalysts relies on understanding their structure-activity relationships and reaction mechanisms at a molecular level. Such an can be obtained by in situ monitoring dynamic processes using surface-sensitive techniques. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provide rich structural information with ultrahigh surface sensitivity, even down to the single-molecule level, which makes it promising tool for study catalysis. However, only few metals (like Au, Ag, Cu) particular nanostructures generate strong SERS effects. Thus, is almost impossible employ transition Pt, Pd, Ru, etc.) other nonmetal materials that are usually used catalysis (material limitation). Furthermore, also unable model single crystals atomically flat structures or practical nanocatalysts (morphology These limitations have significantly hindered applications over past four decades since its discovery, preventing from becoming widely technique In this Account, we summarize extensive efforts done our group 1980s, particularly decade, overcome material morphology SERS. Particular attention has been paid work core-shell as substrates, because they high enhancement versatile application different catalytic materials. Different methodologies developed group, including "borrowing" strategy, shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced (SHINERS), SHINERS-satellite discussed account, emphasis principles applications. successfully long-standing traditional SERS, enabling tracking single-crystal surfaces hardly studied Using these methodologies, systematically series fundamentally important reactions, such oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution electrooxidation, CO oxidation, selective hydrogenation. As such, direct spectroscopic evidence key intermediates detected techniques was obtained. Combined density functional theory techniques, reactions were revealed future proposed work, believe should focused studies single-molecule, single-atom, level sensitivity spatial resolution, example, tip-enhanced spectroscopy. summary, nanostructure-enhanced spectroscopies shown greatly boost catalysis, systems like nanocatalysts, liquid-solid interfaces gas-solid interfaces, electrocatalysis heterogeneous photocatalysis. Account would attract increasing opens new avenues studies.