Novel Bi-functional Materials from Earth-Abundant Plasmonic Structures for Light-driven Applications

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The ultimate goal of any sustainable strategy is to replace fossil fuels by efficient harvesting and storage of renewable (e.g. solar) energy. Recent developments in the field of nanoscale optoelectectronics suggest that this dream might be possible: light-responsive materials can absorb sunlight and convert it into other energy forms (chemical, thermal, etc.) thanks to the exploitation of the plasmonic resonance phenomena. The realization of this technology is, however, currently challenged by fundamental material properties. Common light-enhancing, plasmonic metals Ag and Au are expensive and uncompetitive catalysts; most traditional catalysts (Pd, Pt, oxides) cannot sustain strong LSPRs; consequently, neither attract and concentrate light's energy. This project presents a multi-pronged approach to achieve sustainable bi-functional nanoparticles. It represents an important move away from expensive and rare plasmonic materials to Earth-abundant Mg, capable of absorbing visible (solar)light. This project uses innovative reaction engineering principles for the integration of plasmonic cores and catalytic sites that enable clean, surfactant-free surfaces as well as multi-step air-free syntheses. This unique combination promises intimate solid/solid interactions, impossible to achieve with current synthetic methods, that will be fully characterized for both their fundamental light-matter interaction behaviour as well as their catalytic properties.