Reversibly Modulating Plasmon-mediated Chemical Reaction via Electrode Potential on Reliable Copper Nanoelectrode

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Electrochemistry
• Surface Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Plasmonic metal nanostructures are crucial for plasmon-mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
• Gold and silver are common, but copper (Cu) offers attractive plasmonic properties, catalytic activity, and lower cost, despite fabrication challenges.
• Stable and efficient copper nanostructures are needed for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate tunable, reliable, and efficient copper nanoelectrodes (CuNEs).
• To investigate reversible chemical transformations and PMCRs on CuNEs using electrochemical SERS.
• To explore the interplay between PMCRs, electrochemistry, and copper catalysis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of tunable copper nanoelectrodes (CuNEs).
• Time-resolved electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
• Controlled modification of surface roughness, Cu oxidation states, and electrode potential.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated stable and efficient CuNEs with tunable properties.
• Comprehensively studied reversible chemical transformations of aromatic amine and nitro groups on CuNEs.
• Demonstrated well-controlled PMCRs by tuning surface roughness, oxidation states, and electrode potential.

Conclusions:

• Cu nanostructures are effective platforms for studying PMCRs and electrochemistry.
• The developed CuNEs enable detailed investigations into the coupling of plasmonics, electrochemistry, and catalysis.
• This work highlights the potential of copper in plasmonic and catalytic applications.