Conversion of solar energy into storable fuels is essential to meet future global energy demands. Efficient, robust catalysts and light absorbers that are exclusively made of non-precious elements are imperative for a sustainable energy economy.<br/><br/>In pulsed-laser synthesis, nanoparticles are formed by very rapid cooling of a laser-induced plasma comprised of elements from the solid target and the surrounding liquid. We achieved control of nanoparticle size, polydispersity, and composition by choice of laser pulse energy and the chemical nature of the solid target or liquid medium. We have readily prepared multi-metal nanomaterials with tailored compositions by adding metal ions into the aqueous liquid; our approach allowed us to rapidly optimize highly active, robust [NiFe]-layered double hydroxide nanocatalysts for water oxidation in base. Choice of dissolved anions mattered for zinc or copper-based nanomineral formation. We also applied our method to make mixed-metal tungsten oxide nanomaterials for oxidative photocatalysis in aqueous acid.<br/>

Pulsed-laser synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for water-oxidation catalysis and sunlight capture

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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