In Situ Observation of Hot Carrier Transfer at Plasmonic Au/Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Interfaces

Constructing heterostructures have been demonstrated as an ideal strategy for boosting charge separation on plasmonic photocatalysts, but the detailed interface charge transfer mechanism remains elusive. Herein, that authors fabricate plasmonic Au and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs, NH₂−MIL-125 and MIL-125 used in this work) heterostructures and explore the interface charge transfer mechanism by in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. The plasmon-excited hot electrons on Au can transfer across the Au/MOF interface and be captured by the coordinatively unsaturated sites of secondary building units (Ti₈O₈(OH)₄ cluster) of the MOF structure, and the plasmon-excited hot holes on Au tend to transfer to and be trapped at the functionalized organic ligand (1,4-benzenedicarboxylate−NH₂). The spatially separated hot electrons and holes exhibit boosted the photocatalytic activity for chromium (VI) reduction and selective benzyl alcohol oxidation. This work illustrates the advantage of the versatile functionalization of MOF structures enabling molecular-level manipulation of interface charge transfer on plasmonic photocatalysts.     

Plasmonic photoelectrochemical reactions on noble metal electrodes of nanostructures

Plasmonic noble metal nanostructures have been targeted due to their strong surface plasmon resonance at photoelectrochemical interfaces. Recently, it has been concluded that, the plasmonic noble metal nanostructures on photoexcitation permit the transfer of effective hot carriers (hot electron/hole pair) to nearby adsorbed molecules where, the transformed hot carriers can efficiently decrease the activation barrier of a reaction. In this review, our recent achievements in the plasmon-mediated chemical reactions of organic molecules such as para-aminothiophenol, substituted para-aminothiophenol and para-nitrothiophenol at nanostructures modified noble metal electrodes using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical methods, and theoretical calculations will be discussed.     

Atomically precise Au25(GSH)18 nanoclusters versus plasmonic Au nanocrystals: Evaluating charge impetus in solar water oxidation

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) have been deemed as an emerging class of metal nanomaterials owing to fascinating size-dependent physicochemical properties, discrete energy band structure, and quantum confinement effect, which are distinct from conventional metal nanoparticles (NPs). Nevertheless, metal NCs suffer from photoinduced self-oxidative aggregation accompanied by in-situ transformation to metal NPs, markedly reducing the photosensitization of metal NCs. Herein, maneuvering the generic instability of metal NCs, we perform the charge transport impetus comparison between atomically precise metal NCs and plasmonic metal NPs counterpart obtained from in-situ self-transformation of metal NCs in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting reaction. For conceptual demonstration, we proposed two quintessential heterostructures, which include TNTAs-Au₂₅ heterostructure fabricated by electrostatically depositing glutathione (GSH)-protected Au₂₅(GSH)₁₈ NCs on the TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNTAs) substrate, and TNTAs-Au heterostructure constructed by triggering self-transformation of Au₂₅(GSH)₁₈ NCs to plasmonic Au NPs in TNTAs-Au₂₅ via calcination. The results indicate that photoelectrons produced over Au₂₅ NCs are superior to hot electrons of plasmonic Au NPs in stimulating the interracial charge transport toward solar water oxidation. This is mainly ascribed to the significantly accelerated carrier transport kinetics, prolonged carrier lifespan, and substantial photosensitization effect of Au₂₅ NCs compared with plasmonic Au NPs, resulting in the considerably enhanced PEC water splitting performance of TNTAs-Au₂₅ relative to plasmonic TNTAs-Au counterpart under visible light irradiation. Our work would provide important implications for rationally designing atomically precise metal NCs-based photosystems toward solar energy conversion.     

多组分纳米纤维体系中载流子动力学的有效级联调制及其高效光催化产氢性能研究（英文）

利用半导体作为催化剂,将水光催化还原为H₂,为缓解全球能源危机以及环境污染问题提供了一种经济环保的途径。优化调控载流子动力学行为对提高半导体光催化分解水还原为绿色燃料-H₂的活性具有十分重要的意义。目前,基于半导体异质结效应或局域表面等离激元共振的敏化过程来设计和调控半导体基异质结构体系已成为调控载流子动力学行为的一种经典策略。然而,通过精细设计异质结构,合理耦合上述敏化过程,实现载流子动力学的级联调制,从而获得高效的光催化产H₂活性仍然任重道远。在本文中,我们通过原位氧化(g-C₃N₄的剥离和Ag₂S)和还原(Ag)反应,将等离激元Ag纳米颗粒(NPs)和两种不同的半导体Ag₂SNPs和g-C₃N₄纳米片(NSs)组装在电纺TiO₂纳米纤维(NFs)中,形成了一种新型四元异质组分纳米纤维(HNFs)体系。结合时间分辨光致发光光谱,3D时域有限差分模拟以及对照实验,我们...     

Prolonged Hot Electron Dynamics in Plasmonic‐Metal/Semiconductor Heterostructures with Implications for Solar Photocatalysis

Ideal solar‐to‐fuel photocatalysts must effectively harvest sunlight to generate significant quantities of long‐lived charge carriers necessary for chemical reactions. Here we demonstrate the merits of augmenting traditional photoelectrochemical cells with plasmonic nanoparticles to satisfy these daunting photocatalytic requirements. Electrochemical techniques were employed to elucidate the mechanics of plasmon‐mediated electron transfer within Au/TiO₂ heterostructures under visible‐light (λ>515 nm) irradiation in solution. Significantly, we discovered that these transferred electrons displayed excited‐state lifetimes two orders of magnitude longer than those of electrons photogenerated directly within TiO₂ via UV excitation. These long‐lived electrons further enable visible‐light‐driven H₂ evolution from water, heralding a new photocatalytic paradigm for solar energy conversion.     

基于等离激元热电子调控的全谱光催化产氢增强（英文）

等离激元效应在光催化体系中的集成为实现广谱光吸收提供了一个新的途径,然而等离激元热电子的较低迁移率和不确定扩散方向使得其光催化效率仍较低.等离激元金属与n型半导体接触后,其界面间会形成肖特基结.在特定波长太阳光照射下,等离激元金属将其表面等离子体能量聚集在表面自由电子上,进而产生热电子.当这些热电子具有的能量高于肖特基势垒时,热电子便可注入到半导体导带上.与此同时,半导体上的电子可以通过肖特基接触发生回流,与金属上的空穴复合,进而降低半导体-等离激元金属复合材料的光催化性能.因此,为了提高光催化效率,如何调控等离激元热电子迁移和充分利用等离激元效应是一个重要挑战.本文尝试将"表面异质结"与肖特基结相结合的复合结构,得以有效地调控等离激元热电子的迁移.在该复合结构中,金纳米颗粒和铂纳米颗粒分别作为等离激元吸光单元和助催化剂,集成在TiO_2纳米片表面.其中"表面异质结"是由TiO_2纳米片的两种不同表面晶面所构成,我们选择由{001}和{101}两组晶面组成的TiO_2纳米片作为半导体衬底.该结构中的{001}晶面导带能级高于{101}导带能级,因而电子由高能级的{001}流向低能级的{101}晶面,可以用来引导等离激元热电子从可见光响应的金纳米颗粒向TiO_2进行高效转移.通过巯基丙酸的桥联作用,将等离激元Au纳米颗粒锚定在TiO_2纳米片的{001}晶面上,获得Au-TiO_2{001}样品.另一方面,利用TiO_2纳米片自身光生电荷导向性光沉积,得到与{101}晶面结合形成的Au-TiO_2{101}样品.我们对两组样品进行光电流和光催化产氢实验对比,确认在"表面异质结"诱导下Au-TiO_2{001}样品中Au产生的光生热电子可以更好地注入到TiO_2纳米片导带上.我们进一步通过光沉积Pt纳米颗粒来判定光生电子所能到达的区域,验证了以上结论.与此同时,肖特基结由铂纳米颗粒与TiO_2纳米片所形成,可以促使电子由TiO_2向铂纳米颗粒进行转移,而避免发生向金纳米颗粒的反向迁移,从而在Au-TiO_2体系中实现高效的单向载流子转移.基于该设计,等离激元光催化剂实现了明显改善的全谱光催化产氢性能.本文为全谱光催化的复合结构理性设计提供了一个新的思路.     

Metal–Organic Framework Disintegrants: Enzyme Preparation Platforms with Boosted Activity

An enzyme formulation using customized enzyme activators (metal ions) to directly construct metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as enzyme protective carriers is presented. These MOF carriers can also serve as the disintegrating agents to simultaneously release enzymes and their activators during biocatalysis with boosted activities. This highly efficient enzyme preparation combines enzyme immobilization (enhanced stability, easy operation) and homogeneous biocatalysis (fast diffusion, high activity). The MOF serves as an ion pump that continuously provides metal ion activators that greatly promote the enzymatic activities (up to 251 %). This MOF–enzyme composite demonstrated an excellent protective effect against various perturbation environments. A mechanistic investigation revealed that the spontaneous activator/enzyme release and ion pumping enable enzymes to sufficiently interact with their activators owing to the proximity effects, leading to a boost in biocatalytic performance.     

Metal–Organic Framework Disintegrants: Enzyme Preparation Platforms with Boosted Activity

An enzyme formulation using customized enzyme activators (metal ions) to directly construct metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as enzyme protective carriers is presented. These MOF carriers can also serve as the disintegrating agents to simultaneously release enzymes and their activators during biocatalysis with boosted activities. This highly efficient enzyme preparation combines enzyme immobilization (enhanced stability, easy operation) and homogeneous biocatalysis (fast diffusion, high activity). The MOF serves as an ion pump that continuously provides metal ion activators that greatly promote the enzymatic activities (up to 251 %). This MOF–enzyme composite demonstrated an excellent protective effect against various perturbation environments. A mechanistic investigation revealed that the spontaneous activator/enzyme release and ion pumping enable enzymes to sufficiently interact with their activators owing to the proximity effects, leading to a boost in biocatalytic performance.     

新型间接Z字结型g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6/Bi空心微球等离子共振增强光吸收和光催化性能（英文）

半导体光催化技术是目前最有前景的绿色化学技术,可通过利用太阳光降解污染物或制氢.作为有潜力的半导体催化剂,钼酸铋具有合适的带隙(2.58 eV).但是,由于低的量子产量,钼酸铋的光催化性能并不理想.为了提高钼酸铋的光催化性能,研究者多考虑采取构造异质结的方式.石墨相氮化碳(g-C3N4)能带位置合适,与多种光催化半导体能带匹配,是构造异质结的常用选择.因此,本文选用g-C3N4与钼酸铋复合,构造异质结结构.为了进一步提高光催化性能,多采用负载贵金属(Pt,Au和Pd)作为助催化剂,利用贵金属特有的等离子共振效应,增加光吸收,促进载流子分离,但贵金属价格昂贵.Bi金属单质价格便宜,具备等效的等离子共振效应,是理想的贵金属替代物.钼酸铋可以采取原位还原的方式还原出Bi单质,构造更紧密的界面结构,更有利于载流子传输.Bi的等离子共振效应可以有效提高材料的光吸收能力和光生载流子分离率.本文采用溶剂热和原位还原方法成功合成了一种新型三元异质结结构g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6/Bi(CN/BMO/Bi)空心微球.结果显示,三元异质结结构的最佳配比为0.4CN/BMO/9Bi,该样品表现出最好的光催化降解罗丹明B效率,是纯钼酸铋的9倍.通过计算DRS和XPS的价带数据,0.4CN/BMO/9Bi是一种Z字型异质结.牺牲试剂实验也提供了Z字型异质结的有力证据,测试显示超氧自由基·O^2-(在-0.33 eV)是光催化降解的主要基团.但是,钼酸铋的导带位置低于-0.33 eV,g-C3N4的导带高于-0.33 eV,因此g-C3N4的导带是唯一的反应位点,从而证明了光生载流子的转移是通过Z字型异质结结构实现的.TEM图显示金属Bi分散在钼酸铋表面.DRS和PL图分析表明金属Bi增加了材料的光吸收能力,同时扮演了中间介质的角色,促进钼酸铋导带的电子和g-C3N4价带的空穴快速复合.因此,g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6/Bi的优异光催化性能主要归功于Z字型异质结和Bi金属的等离子共振吸收效应,提高了材料的光吸收能力和光生载流子分离率.     

Plasmonic photothermal catalysis for solar-to-fuel conversion: current status and prospects

Solar-to-fuel conversion through photocatalytic processes is regarded as promising technology with the potential to reduce reliance on dwindling reserves of fossil fuels and to support the sustainable development of our society. However, conventional semiconductor-based photocatalytic systems suffer from unsatisfactory reaction efficiencies due to limited light harvesting abilities. Recent pioneering work from several groups, including ours, has demonstrated that visible and infrared light can be utilized by plasmonic catalysts not only to induce local heating but also to generate energetic hot carriers for initiating surface catalytic reactions and/or modulating the reaction pathways, resulting in synergistically promoted solar-to-fuel conversion efficiencies. In this perspective, we focus primarily on plasmon-mediated catalysis for thermodynamically uphill reactions converting CO₂ and/or H₂O into value-added products. We first introduce two types of mechanism and their applications by which reactions on plasmonic nanostructures can be initiated: either by photo-induced hot carriers (plasmonic photocatalysis) or by light-excited phonons (photothermal catalysis). Then, we emphasize examples where the hot carriers and phonon modes act in concert to contribute to the reaction (plasmonic photothermal catalysis), with special attention given to the design concepts and reaction mechanisms of the catalysts. We discuss challenges and future opportunities relating to plasmonic photothermal processes, aiming to promote an understanding of underlying mechanisms and provide guidelines for the rational design and construction of plasmonic catalysts for highly efficient solar-to-fuel conversion.

Hot carrier activation and photothermal heat can be constructively coupled using plasmonic photothermal catalysts for synergistically promoted solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency.     

Plasmonic Nickel–TiO2 Heterostructures for Visible‐Light‐Driven Photochemical Reactions

Plasmon‐mediated carrier transfer (PMCT) at metal–semiconductor heterojunctions has been extensively exploited to drive photochemical reactions, offering intriguing opportunities for solar photocatalysis. However, to date, most studies have been conducted using noble metals. Inexpensive materials capable of generating and transferring hot carriers for photocatalysis via PMCT have been rarely explored. Here, we demonstrate that the plasmon excitation of nickel induces the transfer of both hot electrons and holes from Ni to TiO₂ in a rationally designed Ni–TiO₂ heterostructure. Furthermore, it is discovered that the transferred hot electrons either occupy oxygen vacancies (V_O) or produce Ti³⁺ on TiO₂, while the transferred hot holes are located on surface oxygens at TiO₂. Moreover, the transferred hot electrons are identified to play a primary role in driving the degradation of methylene blue (MB). Taken together, our results validate Ni as a promising low‐cost plasmonic material for prompting visible‐light photochemical reactions.     

Facile Tuned TSCT-TADF in Donor-Acceptor MOF for Highly Adjustable Photonic Modules based on Heterostructures Crystals

Highly adjustable photonic modules were constructed based on the heterostructures crystals of a new series of donor-acceptor metal–organic framework (D-A MOF) featuring highly tunable thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). By introducing N-phenylcarbazole and derivatives as donor guests into the acceptor host NKU-111, highly tunable through-space charge transfer based TADF could be achieved through the engineering of heavy atom effect, which result in modulatable emission wavelength (540 to 600 nm) and enhanced quantum yield (up to 30.86 %). Furthermore, by rationally integrating the D-A MOFs with distinctive emissions, rod-like heterostructures crystals featuring excitation position dependent tip emissions in wide wavelength range (495 to 598 nm) could be fabricated, which could serve as highly potential photonic modules for photonic circuit applications.     

基于二维材料WX_2构建的范德华异质结的结构和性质及应变效应的理论研究

二维材料过渡金属硫属化物(TMDs),因其优越的物理化学特性及其在光电子器件、光催化等领域的潜在应用价值,得到了人们的广泛关注。基于TMDs材料可以构建具有不同性能的范德华(vdW)异质结,但构建的异质结由于其固有的能带带隙大小限制了其在全光谱上的响应,因而对其能带带隙调控变得十分重要。本文基于第一性原理方法系统地研究了WX_2 (X=S, Se, Te)从单层到体相的结构和性质,以及由此组装的vdW异质结构WS_2/WSe_2、WS_2/WTe_2和WSe_2/WTe_2的结构和性质以及应力应变对异质结构的能带带隙的影响。结果表明:结合HSE06泛函和自旋轨道耦合(SOC)效应的计算方案可以精确描述WX_2体系;异质结构WS_2/WSe_2,WS_2/WTe_2和WSe_2/WTe_2呈现type-II能带分类;在施加单轴或双轴的应力应变后,能带带隙大小发生相应改变,当晶格形变大于4%后,异质结构由半导体特性变成具有金属性。这些研究为光电子器件的设计提供了重要的指导意义。     

Inside Back Cover: Integrated Soft Porosity and Electrical Properties of Conductive-on-Insulating Metal-Organic Framework Nanocrystals (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 35/2023)

A one-stone, two-bird method to integrate the soft porosity and electrical properties of distinct metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into a single material involves the design of conductive-on-insulating MOF (cMOF-on-iMOF) heterostructures that allow for direct electrical control. Herein, we report the synthesis of cMOF-on-iMOF heterostructures using a seeded layer-by-layer method, in which the sorptive iMOF core is combined with chemiresistive cMOF shells. The resulting cMOF-on-iMOF heterostructures exhibit enhanced selective sorption of CO₂ compared to the pristine iMOF (298 K, 1 bar, S from 15.4 of ZIF-7 to 43.2–152.8). This enhancement is attributed to the porous interface formed by the hybridization of both frameworks at the molecular level. Furthermore, owing to the flexible structure of the iMOF core, the cMOF-on-iMOF heterostructures with semiconductive soft porous interfaces demonstrated high flexibility in sensing and electrical “shape memory” toward acetone and CO₂. This behavior was observed through the guest-induced structural changes of the iMOF core, as revealed by the operando synchrotron grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements.     

New insight into daylight photocatalysis of AgBr@Ag: synergistic effect between semiconductor photocatalysis and plasmonic photocatalysis

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are often used as electron scavengers in conventional semiconductor photocatalysis to suppress electron-hole (e(-)-h(+) ) recombination and promote interfacial charge transfer, and thus enhance photocatalytic activity of semiconductors. In this contribution, it is demonstrated that noble metal NPs such as Ag NPs function as visible-light harvesting and electron-generating centers during the daylight photocatalysis of AgBr@Ag. Novel Ag plasmonic photocatalysis could cooperate with the conventional AgBr semiconductor photocatalysis to enhance the overall daylight activity of AgBr@Ag greatly because of an interesting synergistic effect. After a systematic investigation of the daylight photocatalysis mechanism of AgBr@Ag, the synergistic effect was attributed to surface plasmon resonance induced local electric field enhancement on Ag, which can accelerate the generation of e(-)-h(+) pairs in AgBr, so that more electrons are produced in the conduction band of AgBr under daylight irradiation. This study provides new insight into the photocatalytic mechanism of noble metal/semiconductor systems as well as the design and fabrication of novel plasmonic photocatalysts.     

Nanostructured materials with localized surface plasmon resonance for photocatalysis

Localized surface plasmon resonance（LSPR） enhanced photocatalysis has fascinated much interest and considerable efforts have been devoted toward the development of plasmonic photocatalysts.In the past decades,noble metal nanoparticles（Au and Ag） with LSPR feature have found wide applications in solar energy conversion.Numerous metal-based photocatalysts have been proposed including metal/semiconductor heterostructures and plasmonic bimetallic or multimetallic nanostructures.However,high cost and...     

Review on modified TiO2 photocatalysis under UV/visible light: selected results and related mechanisms on interfacial charge carrier transfer dynamics

Titania is one of the most widely used benchmark standard photocatalysts in the field of environmental applications. However, the large band gap of titania and massive recombination of photogenerated charge carriers limit its overall photocatalytic efficiency. The former can be overcome by modifying the electronic band structure of titania including various strategies like coupling with a narrow band gap semiconductor, metal ion/nonmetal ion doping, codoping with two or more foreign ions, surface sensitization by organic dyes or metal complexes, and noble metal deposition. The latter can be corrected by changing the surface properties of titania by fluorination or sulfation or by the addition of suitable electron acceptors besides molecular oxygen in the reaction medium. This review encompasses several advancements made in these aspects, and also some of the new physical insights related to the charge transfer events like charge carrier generation, trapping, detrapping, and their transfer to surface are discussed for each strategy of the modified titania to support the conclusions derived. The synergistic effects in the mixed polymorphs of titania and also the theories proposed for their enhanced activity are reported. A recent venture on the synthesis and applications of anatase titania with a large percentage of reactive {001} facets and their band gap extension to the visible region via nonmetal ion doping which is a current hot topic is briefly outlined.     

Nanoplasmonic zirconium nitride photocatalyst for direct overall water splitting

The ability of plasmonic nanostructures to efficiently harvest light energy and generate energetic hot carriers makes them promising materials for utilization in photocatalytic water spitting.Apart from the traditional Au and Ag based plasmonic photocatalysts,more recently the noble-metal-free alternative plasmonic materials have attracted ever-increasing interest.Here we report the first use of plasmonic zirconium nitride（ZrN） nanoparticles as a promising photocatalyst for water splitting.Highl...     

Integration of Plasmonic Effects and Schottky Junctions into Metal–Organic Framework Composites: Steering Charge Flow for Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalysis

A wide range of light absorption and rapid electron–hole separation are desired for efficient photocatalysis. Herein, on the basis of a semiconductor‐like metal–organic framework (MOF), a Pt@MOF/Au catalyst with two types of metal–MOF interfaces integrates the surface plasmon resonance excitation of Au nanorods with a Pt‐MOF Schottky junction, which not only extends the light absorption of the MOF from the UV to the visible region but also greatly accelerates charge transfer. The spatial separation of Pt and Au particles by the MOF further steers the formation of charge flow and expedites the charge migration. As a result, the Pt@MOF/Au presents an exceptionally high photocatalytic H₂ production rate by water splitting under visible light irradiation, far superior to Pt/MOF/Au, MOF/Au and other counterparts with similar Pt or Au contents, highlighting the important role of each component and the Pt location in the catalyst.     

A Two-dimensional Amorphous Plasmonic Heterostructure of Pd/MoO3-x for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Performance

Two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) have a great potential for solar energy harvesting applications. Exploring 2D amorphous plasmonic heterostructures with high light absorption and catalytic activity is desirable yet challenging. Herein, 2D Pd/MoO_3-x amorphous heterostructures can be obtained by immobilizing Pd single atoms in unsaturated coordination sites of amorphous MoO_3-x, because of strong metal-support interactions, and it reaches a current density of 50 μA cm⁻² for photoelectrochemical response with good durability, and exhibits a high incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 14.8% at 460 nm. Such an enhanced catalytic effects are contributed to the enhanced light absorption in visible region and change of electronic structure owing to enhanced electron transfer through dominant Pd−O bonds, which facilitate water splitting. This work moves a step closer to the expansion of photovoltaic device with the high conversion efficiency for visible light for amorphous heterostructures.