Core–Shell Nanoparticle Clusters Enable Synergistic Integration of Plasmonic and Catalytic Functions in a Single Platform

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2017-11, Vol.13 (43), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Lee, Seunghoon, Wy, Younghyun, Lee, Young Wook, Ham, Kyungrok, Han, Sang Woo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Clusters; Core-shell particles; core–shell; Electromagnetic fields; Gold; nanoparticle clusters; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Palladium; Platinum; SERS
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201701633

Designing controlled hybrid nanoarchitectures between plasmonic and catalytic materials is of paramount importance to fully exploit each function of constituent materials. This study reports a new synthetic strategy for the realization of colloidal clusters of core–shell nanoparticles with plasmonic cores and catalytically active shells. The Au@M (M = Pd or Pt) nanoparticle clusters (NPCs) with a high density of sub‐1 nm interparticle gaps are successfully prepared by the deposition of M shells onto thermally activated Au NPCs. NPCs with other metal, metal sulfide, and metal oxide shells can also be synthesized by using the present approach. The prepared Au@M NPCs show remarkably enhanced plasmonic performance compared to their Au@M nanoparticle counterparts due to the localization of a strong electromagnetic field at the interparticle gaps, while the inherent catalytic function of shells is intact. In situ real‐time Raman spectroscopy and plasmon‐enhanced electrocatalysis experiments demonstrate that the controlled assembly of core–shell nanoparticles is a very effective route for the synergistic integration of plasmonic and catalytic functions in a single platform. Colloidal clusters of core–shell nanoparticles consisting of plasmonic Au cores and catalytically active shells with a high density of sub‐1 nm interparticle gaps are successfully prepared by the deposition of shells onto thermally activated Au nanoparticle clusters. The prepared nanoparticle clusters realize the synergistic integration of plasmonic and catalytic functions in a single platform.