Plasmon-induced selective carbon dioxide conversion on earth-abundant aluminum-cuprous oxide antenna-reactor nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00055-z
• Publication Date: 2017-06-14T21:24:29Z
• Authors: Hossein Robatjazi; Hangqi Zhao; Dayne F. Swearer; Nathaniel J. Hogan; Linan Zhou; Alessandro Alabastri; Michael J. McClain; Peter Nordlander; Naomi J. Halas
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; Science; Q; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy; Article

The rational combination of plasmonic nanoantennas with active transition metal-based catalysts, known as 'antenna-reactor' nanostructures, holds promise to expand the scope chemical reactions possible photocatalysis. Here, we report earth-abundant embedded aluminum in cuprous oxide antenna-reactor heterostructures that operate more effectively and selectively for reverse water-gas shift reaction under milder illumination than conventional thermal conditions. Through rigorous comparison spatial temperature profile, optical absorption, integrated electric field enhancement catalyst, have been able distinguish between competing photothermal hot-carrier driven mechanistic pathways. geometry efficiently harnesses plasmon resonance supply energetic hot-carriers increases absorption selective carbon dioxide conversion monoxide visible light. from noble metals based photocatalysis provides a sustainable route high-value chemicals reaffirms practical potential plasmon-mediated transformations.Plasmon-enhanced control reactions. Here authors an Al@Cu2O heterostructure on earth abundant materials transform CO2 into CO at significantly