Au-BINOL Hybrid Nanocatalysts: Insights into the Structure-Based Enhancement of Catalytic and Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

Advances in new systems of organic−inorganic hybrid nanocomposites are less prevalent, owing to a lack of facile strategies for precise control of their structures, compositions, and, hence, their properties. In this work, Au-BINOL hybrid nanocomposites with eccentric and concentric nanostructures were produced. The hybrid nanocomposites containing two distinct moieties of inorganic Au nanocrystals and organic BINOL nanospheres were applied to the catalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol with NaBH 4 in the aqueous phase with and without the illumination of visible light. Here, we demonstrate that the existence of Au−BINOL interfaces offers benefits to their performance. The eccentric nanostructures made with CTAC show the superior activity from large Au−BINOL interfaces formed between the BINOL nanospheres and the faces of Au nanoplates. They further exhibit a high Au localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)enhancement effect on the photoreduction of 4-nitrophenol, which is attributed to the strong LSPR absorption of exposed Au nanocrystals unaffected by the coverage of BINOL shells.

Pt-1,1′-Bi(2-Naphthol) Nanostructures for Electrochemical H2 Evolution in Alkaline Media

“…Hence, we hypothesized that the Pt-catalyzed HER could be enhanced by an electronic effect through the contact interfaces with the π-conjugated BINOL nanocarriers. As Pt NPs contact BINOL molecules, the excited electrons in π* states by ambient thermal energy may likely promote the reactivity of Pt and thus enhance H 2 evolution. ,, The hypothesis scheme is described in Figure S1. In the syntheses of Pt-BINOL nanocomposites, Pt nanoparticles were formed through the thermal reduction of K 2 PtCl 4 (Figure S1a).…”

“…The two spectra of Pt-BINOL nanocomposites correspond well with that of the BINOL powder for all feature peaks. The result indicates that the postsynthesized BINOL nanocarriers in different morphologies still comprise the original π-conjugated BINOL structure. , Figure S5 shows the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for Pt-BINOL nanocomposites to check their thermal stabilities. The programming heating was conducted from 45 to 700 °C at a 5 °C min –1 rate.…”

Photohydrolysis of Ammonia Borane for Effective H2 Evolution via Hot Electron-Assisted Energy Cascade of Au-WO2.72/TiO2

“…For 2%Au-WO 2.72 , the emission peak at ca. 730 nm is assigned to the SPR emission of Au NPs. − After loading of TiO 2 NSs, 2%Au-WO 2.72 /TiO 2 shows a much lower PL emission peak, which indicates that 2%Au-WO 2.72 /TiO 2 shows a much higher charge separation efficiency than 2%Au-WO 2.72 . Meanwhile, the time-resolved PL spectra were recorded to estimate the average lifetime of the photoexcited charges.…”

Virtual Special Issue: Best Papers from the 256th ACS National Meeting in Boston

“…1,7,9−11 The applications include polymerization, 1 battery development, 11 water treatment, 7 and catalysts and reactors. 9,10…”

“…Another major theme in this VSI is life science and biotechnology. − ,, In addition to these topics, the VSI includes studies on the influence of nanoparticles on wastewater biotreatment and on dye degradation in a bioelectrochemical system . Finally, the VSI contains contributions that involve electrochemistry or photochemistry. ,,− The applications include polymerization, battery development, water treatment, and catalysts and reactors. , …”