Real-Time Detection of Hot Electrons During Chemical Reactions with Catalytic Nanodevices

Hot electrons generated via non-adiabatic electronic excitations during catalytic reactions offer new insights into charge transfer dynamics at catalytic interfaces. Recent advancements in catalytic nanodevices, particularly metal-semiconductor Schottky nanodiodes, have enabled real-time detection of hot electrons via chemicurrent measurements. Initial studies focused on thin-film-based nanodiodes under vacuum conditions, but more advanced studies conducted under ambient-pressure environments reveal a direct correlation between hot electron excitation and catalytic performance. Furthermore, integrating nanocatalysts into nanodiodes has narrowed the gap between model systems and practical catalysts, demonstrating hot electron excitation in nanoparticle-based systems. This review highlights key experimental developments in hot electron research, discussing strategies to enhance detection efficiency and potential applications in catalysis. The ability to manipulate electron flow at catalytic interfaces suggests future opportunities for electronically tunable catalysis, offering a pathway toward energy-efficient and selective reaction control.