A new strategy to enhance the performance of metal catalysts with sunlight

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This project aims to develop photocatalysis of supported metal nanoparticles to drive various chemical synthesis reactions at moderate temperatures using sunlight. The nanostructures of plasmonic metals (gold, silver and copper) are used as light absorbers to concentrate the energy of incident light and generate intense electromagnetic field, which are utilised to promote the catalytic reactions on transition metals in the photocatalysts. The mechanisms of these new photocatalytic processes will be defined. Successful completion of this project will result in new strategies for catalytic chemical synthesis and valuable knowledge within the areas of catalysis, conversion of solar energy to chemical energy, and nanomaterials.