Heterogeneous Catalysis on Plasmonic Metallic Nanostructures: Selective Catalytic Conversion at Lower Temperatures co-Driven by Solar and Thermal Energy

密歇根大学安娜堡分校的Suljo Linic教授由化学系的化学催化计划和化学、生物工程、环境和运输系统部门的催化和生物催化计划联合支持，测试了这样一个假设，即银的等离子体纳米结构可以同时利用热能和低强度光子通量来在比传统的热驱动过程更低的温度下驱动银纳米粒子上的催化氧化反应。具有目标尺寸和形状的银纳米结构将被用来调节表面等离子体的能量，并控制高能电子向吸附状态(轨道)的转移，以实现选择性的化学转化。建议的实验将与理论计算相结合。尽管多相催化科学多年来取得了实质性进展，但在靶向化学转化的催化材料的合理设计和合成方面仍有许多工作要做。拟议的研究将侧重于研究等离子体金属纳米结构利用低强度光通量激活定向化学转化的潜力，从而使催化剂能够在较低的温度下运行。这有望显著提高催化剂的稳定性、能源效率和产品选择性。学生将接受复杂研究方法的培训，并将组织活动，教育高中生和普通公众使用YouTube等内容交付的网络载体进行多相催化。

Professor Suljo Linic of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor is jointly supported by the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Division of Chemistry and the Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program of the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems Division to test the hypothesis that plasmonic nanostructures of silver (Ag) can concurrently utilize thermal energy and a low intensity photon flux to drive catalytic oxidation reactions on Ag nanoparticles at lower temperatures than conventional thermally-driven processes. Ag nanostructures of targeted sizes and shapes will be prepared and used to tune the energy of surface plasmons and control the transfer of energetic electrons into adsorbate states (orbitals) in order to achieve selective chemical transformations. The proposed experiments will be combined with theoretical calculations.Despite substantial advances in the science of heterogeneous catalysis over the years, much remains to be done for the rational design and synthesis of catalytic materials for targeted chemical transformations. The proposed research will focus on the investigation of the potential of plasmonic metallic nanostructures to activate targeted chemical transformations using low intensity light flux, allowing the catalysts to operate at lower temperatures. This promises to significantly improve catalysts stability, energy efficiency, and product selectivity. Students will be trained in sophisticated research methods, and activities will be organized to educate high school students and the general public on heterogeneous catalysis using web vehicles of content delivery such as YouTube.