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Single-molecule catalysis mapping quantifies site-specific activity and uncovers radial activity gradient on single
Nesha May Andoy1, Xiaochun Zhou, Eric Choudhary
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 17, 2013
Summary
Catalytic activity in gold nanoplates shows a gradient, with higher activity at edges and corners. This spatial complexity in nanocatalysts is linked to surface defects influenced by crystal growth.
Area of Science:
- Nanocatalysis
- Surface Science
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Shape-controlled metal nanocrystals are advanced catalysts.
- Surface facets influence catalytic activity.
- Previous work showed activity gradients in 1D gold nanorods.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate catalytic activity distribution in 2D gold nanoplates.
- Determine if activity varies across different surface regions.
- Correlate activity gradients with nanocrystal growth and defects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to map catalytic events.
- Employed scanning electron microscopy for morphological analysis.
- Analyzed activity within individual triangular and hexagonal gold nanoplates.
Main Results:
- Discovered a 2D radial gradient of catalytic activity on the {111} surface of gold nanoplates, decreasing from edges to the center.
- Observed highest catalytic activity at corner regions, followed by edge regions, and then flat surface facets.
- Attributed the activity gradient to surface defect distribution influenced by nanocrystal growth.
Conclusions:
- Catalytic activity in 2D nanocrystals exhibits spatial complexity, extending previous findings from 1D nanostructures.
- Nanocrystal growth, morphology, and surface defects are intricately linked to site-specific catalytic properties.
- Understanding these gradients is crucial for designing highly efficient nanocatalysts.
