Integration of plasmonics and catalysis/sensing in bimetallic nanocrystals provides substantial benefits for the creation of novel catalyst systems. This kind of function-added nanocrystals possess the superiority in delivering light energy to chemical production as well as sensing. In this talk, synthetic concepts for the design of nanostructures with bi-functions of plasmon and catalysis/sensing will be introduced. The one-step synthesis of Au-Pd icosahedral nanocatalysts is the first example, including the precise control on their surface structures, compositions and thickness (lattice strain) of shells. By turning the ionic switch of [Cl−]/[Br−], the bimetallic nanocatalysts selectively form in alloy and core-shell structures. Their superior catalytic performances in electrochemical fuel oxidation and photoreduction reveal the success in the design of such active and stable icosahedral nanocatalysts. The second example is about the structural design of bimetallic Au-Pd-Au nanobricks and their utilization for H2 sensing. Instead of traditional principle, i.e. conductivity changes, the nanobrick-sensing is achieved by measuring the variation in the light scattering of nanobricks under irradiation of visible light. The ultrathin Pd shells (~2 nm) sandwiched in between Au nanocubes and Au nanoframes were strongly excited and thus render the whole nanobrick an ultrasensitive sensor at molecular level. In addition, the unique nanobrick structure is an archetype and promisingly extendable to other kinds of sensing.

Architectural design of bimetallic Au-Pd nanocrystals toward utilization of visible light energy for sensing and catalysis

256th National Meeting (2018)

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