Enhancing Photoelectric Response of an Au@Ag/AgI Schottky Contact through Regulation of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance

Abstract

Carrier generation and migration are both pivotal to photoelectric (PE) response. Formation of a Schottky contact is conducive to promote carrier migration but cannot fundamentally magnify carrier generation, limiting the eventual PE performance. In this work, an Au@Ag/AgI Schottky contact is established by in situ growth of AgI nanotriangles on the surface of Au@Ag nanoparticles (NPs), and PE enhancement of the Schottky contact is realized by regulating localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties. In comparison with Ag/AgI Schottky contact, assembly of Au NPs in the center of Ag NPs adjusts the dominated LSPR property from hot-electron transfer (HET) to plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET). With the concurrent manipulation of HET and PIRET, additional energy can be employed for carrier generation, while photogenerated electrons offset by hot electrons are reduced, which jointly enlarges PE responses of the Au@Ag/AgI Schottky contact up to 4 times. Benefitted from the etching of thiols to Ag-based materials, the Au@Ag/AgI Schottky contact is further applied to the construction of a photoelectrochemical cysteine sensor. This work proposes a general strategy to enhance PE responses of Schottky contacts, which may advance the design of LSPR-related PE systems.

Recent advances in electron manipulation of nanomaterials for photoelectrochemical biosensors

“…3B). 68 Specifically, plasmonic metal and nano-semiconductor with small lattice mismatch were selected, and in situ growth synthesis was used to obtain Au@Ag/AgI Schottky contacts. The introduction of the second plasmonic metal Au induced generation of the PIRET effect, and provided additional energy for the generation of photogenerated electrons.…”

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“…In the past few years, several review articles have appeared focusing on the progress of plasmonic materials for promoting diverse catalytic reactions. Although diverse plasmonic materials have been generated in different parts of the world, there has rarely been any effort to classify the plasmonic materials on the basis of their configurational pattern. − In this review, we have attempted to signify the underlying structure–function relationship that drives the catalytic activity by the plasmonic materials. We have identified three distinct photosensitizer–catalyst combinations for the development of plasmonic materials to date.…”

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“…The Janus nanomotors display significantly enhanced NIRcatalytic hydrogen evolution and high radiation energy deposition in the form of highly cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and glutathione depletion. 41 This effect can be explained because the synergistic interaction between the noble metals and the high dielectric semiconductors generates strong nearfields close to the Au-TiO 2 interface, and the Au-TiO 2 Schottky heterojunction effectively facilitates charge separation and migration. 41,42 The generated H 2 at one end of the Au NRs serves as an effective driving force to propel the nanomotor forward to facilitate cell uptake and improve sample Please do not adjust margins Please do not adjust margins accumulation and distribution.…”

“…41 This effect can be explained because the synergistic interaction between the noble metals and the high dielectric semiconductors generates strong nearfields close to the Au-TiO 2 interface, and the Au-TiO 2 Schottky heterojunction effectively facilitates charge separation and migration. 41,42 The generated H 2 at one end of the Au NRs serves as an effective driving force to propel the nanomotor forward to facilitate cell uptake and improve sample Please do not adjust margins Please do not adjust margins accumulation and distribution. 43,44 The excellent penetration capability of the nanomotors driven by their active motion has been confirmed in vitro and in vivo.…”