Combining nanomaterials of different properties into nanohybrids can potentially lead to improved properties/performance or multiple functions. In particular, forming nanomaterials junctions and using plasmons represent two important, promising strategies for realizing broadband photocalysis in strategically important applications such as solar fuels and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in our environments. In this talk, I will present some of our recent work on the rational design and realization of nanohybrid materials as well as their applications in solar fuel and photocatalysis. For instance, the construction of homojunctions of nanoplates made of metal–organic frameworks (MOF) led to broadened light absorption and increased photoactivity. The well-defined MOF homojunction was prepared by a facile one-pot synthesis route directed by hollow transition metal nanoparticles. The homojunction is enabled by two concentric stacked nanoplates with slightly different crystal phases. The enhanced charge separation in the homojunction was visualized by in-situ surface photovoltage microscopy. The as-prepared nanostacks displayed a visible-light-driven carbon dioxide reduction with very high carbon monooxide selectivity, and excellent stability. Another example is about the in situ synthesis of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Ag-MOM (metal organic matrix) using one-step facile approach. The intimate and stable interface between the AgNPs and Ag-MOM and hot electron transfer from the plasmonic AgNPs to MOM led to highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic H2 generation in aqueous solution, which surpasses most of reported MOF-based photocatalytic systems. This work sheds light on effective electronic and energy bridging between plasmonic NPs and metal organic matrix.

Related References: [1] Nature communications, 12, Article number: 1231 (2021); [2] Nature communications, 2022, under revision; [3] Chemistry of Materials, 2021, 33, 695-705; [4] Adv. Funct. Mater. 2019, 1902486.