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Efficient Ag@AgCl Cubic Cage Photocatalysts Profit from Ultrafast Plasmon‐Induced Electron Transfer Processes
Author(s) -
Tang Yuxin,
Jiang Zhelong,
Xing Guichuan,
Li Anran,
Kanhere Pushkar D.,
Zhang Yanyan,
Sum Tze Chien,
Li Shuzhou,
Chen Xiaodong,
Dong Zhili,
Chen Zhong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201203379
Subject(s) - materials science , photocatalysis , plasmon , electron transfer , semiconductor , surface plasmon , nanoparticle , electron , chemical physics , surface plasmon resonance , noble metal , nanotechnology , photochemistry , optoelectronics , metal , catalysis , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Abstract Photon‐coupling and electron dynamics are the key processes leading to the photocatalytic activity of plasmonic metal‐semiconductor nanohybrids. To better utilize and explore these effects, a facile large‐scale synthesis route to form Ag@AgCl cubic cages with well‐defined hollow interiors is carried out using a water‐soluble sacrificial salt‐crystal‐template process. Theoretical calculations and experimental probes of the electron transfer process are used in an effort to gain insight into the underlying plasmonic properties of the Ag@AgCl materials. Efficient utilization of solar energy to create electron‐hole pairs is attributed to the significant light confinement and enhancement around the Ag/AgCl interfacial plasmon hot spots and multilight‐reflection inside the cage structure. More importantly, an ultrafast electron transfer process (≤150 fs) from Ag nanoparticles to the AgCl surface is detected, which facilitates the charge separation efficiency in this system, contributing to high photocatalytic activity and stability of Ag@AgCl photocatalyst towards organic dye degradation.