Core-Shell Bimetallic Nanoparticle Trimers for Efficient Light-to-Chemical Energy Conversion

Abstract

Incorporation of catalytically active materials into plasmonic metal nanostructures can efficiently merge the reactivity and energy-harvesting abilities of both types of materials for visible light photo-catalysis. Herein, we explore the influence of electromagnetic hotspots in the ability of plasmonic core-shell colloidal structures to induce chemical transformations. For this study, we developed a synthetic strategy for the fabrication of Au nanoparticle (NP) trimers in aqueous solution through fine controlled galvanic replacement between Ag nanoprisms and Au precursors. Core-shell Au@M NP trimers with catalytically active metals (M = Pd, Pt) were subsequently synthesized using Au NP trimers as templates. Our experimental and computational results highlight the synergy of geometry and composition in plasmonic catalysts for plasmon-driven chemical reactions.