It has been shown that photo-excitation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles (Au, Ag, and Cu) can induce direct photo-chemical reactions on the nanoparticles. However, the widespread application of this technology in catalysis has been limited by the relatively poor chemical reactivity of noble metal surfaces. In this presentation, we present our recent work in which we conceptualized and designed hybrid nanostructures in which a plasmonic metal harvests the energy of visible light photons and selectively channels that energy into catalytically active centers on the nanostructure. To accomplish this, we developed a synthetic protocol to deposit a few monolayers of Pt onto plasmonic Ag nanocubes. This model system allows us to conclusively separate the optical and catalytic functions of the hybrid nanomaterial and analyze the interaction between the two functions. Through experimental and theoretical studies of the optical properties of these nanostructures, we show that the flow of energy is strongly biased towards absorption (i.e. excitation of energetic charge carriers) in the thin Pt shell. We demonstrate the utility of these nanostructures for photo-catalytic chemical reactions in the preferential oxidation of CO in excess H₂. The reactor studies conclusively show that photo-excitation of these nanostructures results in photo-chemical reactions on the Pt surface. We describe the fundamental physical reasons for the observed directed flow of energy and discuss how these discoveries impact the field of plasmonic catalysis.

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