Development of Plasmonic Cu₂O/Cu Composite Arrays as Visible- and Near-Infrared-Light-Driven Plasmonic Photocatalysts

Abstract

We describe efficient visible- and near-infrared (vis/NIR) light-driven photocatalytic properties of hybrids of CuO and plasmonic Cu arrays. The CuO/Cu arrays were prepared simply by allowing a Cu half-shell array to stand in an oxygen atmosphere for 3 h, which was prepared by depositing Cu on two-dimensional colloidal crystals with a diameter of 543 or 224 nm. The localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of the arrays were strongly excited at 866 and 626 nm, respectively, at which the imaginary part of the dielectric function of Cu is small. The rate of photodegradation of methyl orange was 27 and 84 times faster, respectively, than that with a CuO/nonplasmonic Cu plate. The photocatalytic activity was demonstrated to be dominated by Cu LSPR excitation. These results showed that the inexpensive CuO/Cu arrays can be excellent vis/NIR-light-driven photocatalysts based on the efficient excitation of Cu LSPR.

Visible‐to‐NIR Photon Harvesting: Progressive Engineering of Catalysts for Solar‐Powered Environmental Purification and Fuel Production

“…Sugawa et al have described an efficient visible and NIR light‐driven degradation (400–1000 nm) of MO over Cu 2 O/Cu plasmonic photocatalysts . They prepared two Cu 2 O/Cu half‐shell (CuHS) photocatalysts, i.e., Cu 2 O/CuHS(543) with SPR absorption peak in the NIR region that is far from the light absorption wavelength of Cu 2 O (around <650 nm) and Cu 2 O/CuHS(224) with SPR absorption band that partially overlaps with the absorption edge of Cu 2 O. Wavelength‐dependent photocatalytic performance tests confirm the broad light driven photoactivity of the two Cu 2 O/Cu samples ( Figure a).…”

“…a) Dependence on the irradiation wavelengths of the photocatalytic degradation of MO in the presence of Cu 2 O/CuP (Cu plate without SPR absorption), Cu 2 O/CuHS(543), and Cu 2 O/CuHS(224); b) proposed mechanisms of photodegradation of MO. a,b) Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2017, American Chemical Society.…”

Near‐Infrared‐Driven Photocatalysts: Design, Construction, and Applications

“…As is observed by recent studies, the noble metal sensitized by NIR light can be involved in the NIR-driven photocatlytic process via constructing heterostructure with semiconductors. [30][31][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] In general, bare noble metal is seldomly used as the NIR active photocatalysts which may originate from the This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.…”

Reaction Pathway Dependence in Plasmonic Catalysis: Hydrogenation as a Model Molecular Transformation

“…[3,[7][8][9][10] The utilization of copper and aluminumn anoparticles as catalysts has also received attention. [11][12][13][14] Plasmonic nanocatalysis has become attractive towards the development of more environmentally friendly processes because it enables the utilization of visible/solar light as ag reen energy input to drivea nd control av ariety of transformations. [3,[15][16][17][18][19] In fact, silver and gold nanoparticles as well as their hybridsw ith metal-oxides and graphene-based materials have been investigated as plasmonic catalysts, in whichs ignificant enhancements have been reported under localized surfacep lasmon resonance excitation.…”

“…In this case, gold and silver nanoparticles, which support localized surface plasmon resonance excitation in the visible and near‐infrared range, are usually employed as catalysts . The utilization of copper and aluminum nanoparticles as catalysts has also received attention . Plasmonic nanocatalysis has become attractive towards the development of more environmentally friendly processes because it enables the utilization of visible/solar light as a green energy input to drive and control a variety of transformations .…”