Plasmon-mediated electrochemical reactions: the influence of nanoparticle structure (Final Report)
Harnessing the energy of the sun to drive chemical reactions is an important strategy for lowering the cost and energy consumption associated with producing chemicals of interest. One challenge inherent to using solar energy is finding ways to convert the light into more useful forms of energy that can be utilized by chemical reactions. This research project focuses on using nanoscale particles of gold and silver (~10-100 nanometers in size and known as plasmonic nanoparticles) that are capable of transforming light energy into chemical energy in order to facilitate electrochemical reactions at the nanoparticle surface. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between a molecule of interest and the plasmonic nanoparticle, which serves as an electrode. When we shine light on the nanoparticle, it helps promote the transfer of electrons, improving the reaction efficiency and yield. An open question is how the shape and size of the nanoparticle affects its ability to transform light into useful energy for electrochemical reactions that can then be utilized by molecules near the surface. This requires us to study reactions between molecules and single nanoparticles, so we can understand the role that heterogeneity in nanoparticle structure plays. To do this, we use molecules that change color and emit light when they undergo an electrochemical reaction, providing a strategy to follow these reactions at the surface of single nanoparticles. Our experiments reveal the importance of controlling the interface between the molecules and the plasmonic nanoparticles, as well as the interface between the plasmonic nanoparticles and the supporting substrate. Moreover, it is critical to find molecules that show well-behaved electrochemical behavior, in order to verify that the observed behaviors are due to the plasmonic nanoparticles and not the molecular reporters.
- Research Organization:
- Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0014253
- OSTI ID:
- 1515722
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-TEMPLE-14253
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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