Enhanced photochemical effects of plasmonic cluster catalysts through aggregated nanostructures

Abstract

Here we present an effective strategy to achieve strongly enhanced catalytic activity of platinum-copper bimetallic clusters through augmented plasmonic photochemical effects of an aggregated nanostructure. The excitation by light irradiation significantly amplified both the population and migration rate of hot carriers generated on the catalyst surface, thereby achieving a record-high reduction rate of p-nitrophenol at elevated concentration. This work provides important insights for the rational design of efficient metallic photocatalysts; it is also relevant for further improvement of the efficiencies of plasmonic photocatalysis and solar energy harvesting.