Strain-Tuned d-Band Center Coupling Dual-Plasmon Effect in CuIn Alloy for Driving CO₂ Photoreduction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis offers a sustainable route for CO2 conversion.
• Traditional plasmonic catalysts suffer from low efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel dual-plasmonic photocatalyst for enhanced CO2 conversion.
• To investigate the effect of alloying copper (Cu) and indium (In) on catalytic performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a CuIn alloy as a dual-plasmonic photocatalyst.
• Characterization of material properties, including lattice strain and electron transfer.
• Evaluation of catalytic activity and stability for CO2 conversion.

Main Results:

• The CuIn alloy exhibits a dual-plasmon effect due to alloying.
• Lattice compression strain and shortened electron transfer distance were observed.
• Optimized electron-rich structure and modulated d-band center enhanced adsorption capacity.
• The dual-plasmon effect improved electron-phonon coupling and surface reaction thermodynamics.
• The CuIn photocatalyst demonstrated high activity and stability.

Conclusions:

• Alloying Cu and In creates a strain-tuned dual-plasmonic material with superior catalytic performance.
• This work presents a new strategy for designing advanced plasmonic photocatalysts.
• The developed CuIn material shows promise for efficient CO2 conversion into liquid fuels.