Plasmon mediated deposition of transition metal catalysts on titanium nitride nanoparticles

Abstract:

Plasmonic photocatalyst can efficiently absorb light to generate photoexcited electrons to drive energy extensive catalytic reactions. We have successfully synthesized composite plasmonic catalysts by visible-light-induced deposition of transition metal nanocatalysts such as Ni and Pt on refractory plasmonic titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles. Titanium nitride nanoparticles can absorb broad spectrum solar light to generate photoexcited electrons which reduce transition metal precursor salts to deposit the metal atoms on the surface. Notably we could deposit different size Ni or Pt nanocatalysts ranging from single atoms to nanoclusters on titanium nitride by varying the light intensity and deposition time. Additionally, the reaction conditions such as pH could be optimized to maximize the loading of the nanocatalysts on titanium nitride nanoparticles surface. We are also looking to into the effect of vacancies on TiN surface on the loading density of nanocatalysts deposited on it. The findings of this study can be used to develop a visible light mediated synthesis of plasmonic catalysts under mild conditions, which will enable their widespread applications.