Preparation of bimetallic Au/Pt nanotriangles with tunable plasmonic properties and improved photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Bimetallic nanoparticles are widely used in chemical catalysis and energy conversion. Their practical performance can be better exploited through morphological control by adjusting the synthetic strategy. Herein, an aqueous phase route is used to achieve the controlled preparation of bimetallic Au/Pt and hollow Au/Pt/Au nanotriangles with tunable plasmonic properties and superior photocatalytic activity. By continuously adjusting the concentration of surfactant solution, the gradual growth orientation of Pt nanoparticles on Au nanotriangles is observed, which occurs first on the tips, then on the edges, and then on the facets. Three types of Au/Pt nanotriangles (including Pt on the tips (Au/Pt (tips)), Pt on the edges (Au/Pt (edges)), and Pt covering Au (Au@Pt)) with tunable plasmon resonance are obtained. Then, Au/Pt/Au nanotriangles with a hollow structure are synthesized based on Au/Pt (edges). By evaluating the reduction rate of p-nitrophenol under visible light irradiation, hollow Au/Pt/Au nanotriangles exhibit the best photocatalytic activity compared with Au and Au/Pt (edges). The hollow structure, high visible light absorption and a strong tip- and center-focused local electric field of Au/Pt/Au are thought to be responsible for their superior photocatalytic activity.