Solar energy has great potential to drive off-grid catalytic reactions for energy storage and energy related conversion reactions due to the ubiquity and low cost of the input energy source. However, many photocatalytic reactions are limited by stability and selectivity. To expand the reaction space while retaining selectivity we have developed plasmonically enhanced photoelectrodes. The flexibility of design features in plasmonic nanoparticles allows their properties as photocatalysts to be widely adjustable with simple fabrication changes like orientation, size, and shape. In addition to performing photocatalytic reactions with soluble products, we demonstrate plasmonic structures performing selected area photodeposition of nanoparticles onto the electrode itself. These particles can perform subsequent catalytic reactions, and can be enhanced by the original plasmonic substrate. By coupling plasmonic nanoparticles to semiconductor substrates, photoelectrochemical processes can be monitored while also expanding the absorption spectral window.  Specifically, gold nanoparticles (spheres and rods) are coupled to hematite or TiO<sub>2</sub> substrates to track the ethanol oxidation reaction. Photocurrents and photopotentials of these hybrid structures demonstrate enhanced capabilities outside the bulk material properties. We are able to explore the impact of the electrode’s architecture on these electrochemical observations both through modelling techniques, and experimental observations of fabricated materials. The flexibility of advanced fabrication techniques in conjunction with computational simulation methods allows us to predict and develop new properties out of old materials with opportunities to open the door for future energy related applications.<br/>

Plasmonic photoelectrochemistry for catalytic functionality

254th National Meeting (2017)

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