Tuning Selectivity in Propylene Epoxidation by Plasmon Mediated Photo-Switching of Cu Oxidation State

Oxidation of functioning copper has restricted its applicability as a catalyst for commercially important epoxidation of propylene to form propylene oxide. Here, we report that steady-state selectivity in propylene epoxidation on copper (Cu) nanoparticles increases sharply when the catalyst is illum...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2013-03, Vol.339 (6127), p.1590-1593
Main Authors: Marimuthu, Andiappan, Zhang, Jianwen, Linic, Suljo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Catalysis
Catalysts
Catalytic oxidation
Chemical compounds
Chemical reactions
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Copper
Epoxidation
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Light
Luminous intensity
Nanoparticles
Oxidation
Oxide coatings
Oxides
Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
Plasmons
Propylene
Reaction kinetics
Selectivity
Surface chemistry
Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
Tuning
Valence
Visible spectrum
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Oxidation of functioning copper has restricted its applicability as a catalyst for commercially important epoxidation of propylene to form propylene oxide. Here, we report that steady-state selectivity in propylene epoxidation on copper (Cu) nanoparticles increases sharply when the catalyst is illuminated with visible light. The selectivity increase is accompanied by light-induced reduction of the surface Cu atoms, which is brought about by photoexcitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Cu. We discuss multiple mechanisms by which Cu LSPR weakens the Cu-O bonds, reducing Cu₂O.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1231631