Spatially Separated Plasmonic Catalysts for Selective CO₂ Electrochemical Conversion Using Interband/Intraband Hot...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Plasmonic nanostructures offer potential for solar energy utilization in CO2 conversion.
• Noble metals like gold and silver have limitations in mediating multielectron reduction pathways for value-added products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and investigate a spatially separated plasmonic-semiconductor hybrid catalyst for improved electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.
• To understand the role of interband and intraband hot electrons in enhancing CO2RR selectivity and activity.

Main Methods:

• Coupling molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) quantum dots to gold (Au) triangle nanoprisms to create a hybrid catalyst.
• Investigating hot electron generation from interband and intraband transitions in Au and their injection into MoS2.
• Analyzing the correlation between different hot electron energies and CO2RR product selectivity.

Main Results:

• The Au-MoS2 hybrid catalyst effectively utilizes hot electrons from both interband and intraband transitions.
• Interband hot electrons selectively enhanced methanol and formic acid production at different overpotentials.
• Intraband hot electrons significantly increased ethanol selectivity through C-C coupling.

Conclusions:

• Spatially separated catalysts offer unique advantages in plasmon-mediated electrochemical reactions.
• Utilizing both interband and intraband hot electrons provides an effective strategy for efficient and selective CO2 reduction.