Light-induced pressurization effect in Au-Ni heterostructures for plasmonic photocatalysis.

ABSTRACT: Plasmonic photocatalysis offers a promising route to harvest solar energy and drive chemical reactions by the generated heat and energetic charge carriers towards a low-carbon economy. Understanding the mechanisms of plasmonic photocatalysis is vital for the rational design of efficient catalysts but remains a great challenge. Here we report the discovery of an overlooked photocatalytic mechanism based on the enhanced coverage of CO on an Au-Ni heterostructure under light. Detailed studies reveal that hot carrier transfer from Au to Ni via plasmonic excitation increases the electron density of Ni, thereby boosting the population of Ni sites capable of CO adsorption. This increase in active CO-binding sites, rather than local heating or altered adsorption properties of individual Ni sites,

SUBMITTER: Zhu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12572333 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature