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Effect of Nanoparticle Size on Plasmon-Driven Reaction Efficiency
Seokheon Kim1, Sungwoon Lee1, Sangwoon Yoon1
1Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 10, 2022
Summary
This study reveals how gold nanoparticle size affects hot electron chemistry. Optimal reaction yields for photocatalysis and solar energy conversion were observed with specific nanoparticle sizes.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Photochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Hot electron chemistry is crucial for photocatalysis, solar energy, and waste decomposition.
- Nonradiative decay of plasmons in gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) generates energetic carriers for chemical reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gold nanosphere (AuNS) size and plasmon-induced reaction yield.
- To optimize AuNP size for enhanced photocatalytic efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized uniform gold nanospheres (AuNSs) with sizes ranging from 26-133 nm.
- Utilized a nanoparticle-on-mirror configuration with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid in nanogaps.
- Employed surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for sensitive detection of benzenethiol.
Main Results:
- Observed a Λ-shaped size-dependent reactivity for AuNSs.
- Reaction yield increased with AuNS size up to 94 nm, then decreased for larger sizes.
- Correlated experimental results with the product of absorption cross section and inverse AuNS size.
Conclusions:
- AuNS size significantly impacts plasmon-induced reaction yields.
- Optimal AuNS size balances plasmonic absorption and electron-surface scattering.
- Findings guide the design of efficient plasmonic photocatalysts and photovoltaic devices.
