Photonic Nanoparticle Doped Architectures for Enhanced Solar to Fuel Photocatalytic Conversion 154060
Abstract
This research focused on synthesis of unique plasmonic nanoparticles, preparation of core-shell particles to enhance generation of hydrogen via the photocatalytic splitting of water, and mechanistic studies of charge transfer of such core-shell particles. Particular emphasis centered on synthesis and study of hollow gold-silver nanoshells (GS-NSs) having tunable localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). We prepared three sizes of GS-NSs with LSPR maxima centered at 500, 700, and 900 nm. Subsequently, we coated the GS-NSs with a shell of silica (SiO2)having two different thicknesses, 17 nm and 42 nm. The generated GS-NSs (uncoated and SiO2-coated) were then coated with the photocatalyst, which in our case is the semiconductor zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4; ZIS). After evaluating the photocatalytic water splitting activities, we found that GS-NS(700 nm)@SiO2(17 nm)@ZIS has the most enhancement factor (2.6) compared to that of ZIS without GS-NSs. The lifetime of photo-generated electrons in the conduction band of the photocatalyst was observed using time-resolved photoluminescence(TRPL). To prepare a better coverage of the ZIS coating on the SiO2 surface, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) was used modify theSiO2 surface. The ZIS shell was then grown on the SiO2 surface to afford composite particles having a smooth morphology. We found that decreasing the concentration of photocatalyst precursor and increasing the content of SiO2 leads to a better coverage of the ZIS shell. We are also exploring the use of nanoshells coated with tin oxide (SnO2) rather than silica (SiO2) and coating the GS-NSs with zinc- and antimonydopedSnO2. Furthermore, we developed new routes for the preparation of silver, platinum, and palladium seed nanoparticles and demonstrated their use in the facile synthesis of Ag, Pt, Pd, and Pt/Ag nanoshells. Separate studies explore the
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 09, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1027333
Entities
People
- Randall Lee
- Tai-Chou Lee
Organizations
- National Central University