Periodic Reporting for period 4 - SPECs (Sustainable plasmon-enhanced catalysis)
Période du rapport: 2023-07-01 au 2024-12-31
Industries creating inorganic, organic, and agricultural chemicals use a staggering 4.2% of the worldwide delivered energy, mainly from unsustainable fossil fuels. Meanwhile, the sun provides energy that could be utilized to power photochemical reactions sustainably and cleanly. Recent advances revealing how localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), light-driven electron oscillations in metal nanoparticles, can concentrate light at the molecular scale made the dream of efficient photochemistry one step closer. However, plasmonic materials are almost exclusively constructed from the rare and unsustainable metals Ag and Au. In addition to being incompatible with current industrial practices relying on catalytic surfaces to lower energy barriers and guide reactions, Ag and Au cause prohibitive cost challenges for real-world applications. But there is hope: several of the few metals predicted to sustain LSPRs and become potential alternatives to Ag and Au are amongst the most abundant, i.e. sustainable, elements on Earth (including Cu, Al, Mg).
The way forward, and key objective of this project, is to design, synthesize, and understand multimetallic nanostructures where a cheap, Earth-abundant plasmonic material traps and concentrates (sun)light directly at a catalytic surface to efficiently and intelligently power and choreograph chemical reactions. To achieve this ambitious goal, the team is concurrently advancing important aspects of sustainable plasmon-enhanced catalysis, from the development of synthetic approaches for Earth-abundant plasmonic-catalysts, to the fundamental studies of light-trapping in these new materials with state-of-the-art numerical and experimental approaches and the unravelling of the relative contribution of plasmon-generated hot electrons, enhanced field, and heat using key model chemical reactions.
The interdisciplinary team has delivered significant discoveries, from fundamental to applied science, and the results are on an early path to commercialisation. Earth-abundant metals have been used to absorb visible light and drive and manipulate chemical reactions. One of the important discoveries (leading to the patent), is the development of multiple synthetic and fabrication approaches for nanoscale air-stable magnesium, and its use in light-enhanced catalysis and spectroscopy. This has led to worldwide recognition of the PI via several awards and establishment of a leading research effort in Europe.
The way forward, and key objective of this project, is to design, synthesize, and understand multimetallic nanostructures where a cheap, Earth-abundant plasmonic material traps and concentrates (sun)light directly at a catalytic surface to efficiently and intelligently power and choreograph chemical reactions. To achieve this ambitious goal, the team is concurrently advancing important aspects of sustainable plasmon-enhanced catalysis, from the development of synthetic approaches for Earth-abundant plasmonic-catalysts, to the fundamental studies of light-trapping in these new materials with state-of-the-art numerical and experimental approaches and the unravelling of the relative contribution of plasmon-generated hot electrons, enhanced field, and heat using key model chemical reactions.
The interdisciplinary team has delivered significant discoveries, from fundamental to applied science, and the results are on an early path to commercialisation. Earth-abundant metals have been used to absorb visible light and drive and manipulate chemical reactions. One of the important discoveries (leading to the patent), is the development of multiple synthetic and fabrication approaches for nanoscale air-stable magnesium, and its use in light-enhanced catalysis and spectroscopy. This has led to worldwide recognition of the PI via several awards and establishment of a leading research effort in Europe.
Over the entire project, a synergy of laboratory, computing, and characterisation work has been undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. Following one of the main overall goals of the action, new approaches to the synthesis and fabrication of single and bimetallic structures were developed and applied to Earth-abundant plasmonic metals including Cu and Mg. Then, the crystallographic and optical properties of these new structures were determined experimentally and numerically. Finally, as proposed, the ability of these sustainable materials to use light to power and direct chemical reactions was revealed.
Summary of results, exploitation, and dissemination
The team has achieved significant results related to the synthesis, characterisation, and catalytic properties of mono- and bi-metallic nanoparticles comprising Earth-abundant metals. In particular, the team has started an entirely new field of colloidal magnesium plasmonic structures, and has pioneered their synthesis to obtain controlled shapes and sizes.
This action generated 33 scientific publications, involvement in and organisation of multiple local and international conferences, a patent and several potential commercialisation routes, media coverage, and outreach including a podcast and frequent displays in museums.
Summary of results, exploitation, and dissemination
The team has achieved significant results related to the synthesis, characterisation, and catalytic properties of mono- and bi-metallic nanoparticles comprising Earth-abundant metals. In particular, the team has started an entirely new field of colloidal magnesium plasmonic structures, and has pioneered their synthesis to obtain controlled shapes and sizes.
This action generated 33 scientific publications, involvement in and organisation of multiple local and international conferences, a patent and several potential commercialisation routes, media coverage, and outreach including a podcast and frequent displays in museums.
The project has delivered results on multiple fronts. The singular most impactful result is the establishment of a new field of colloidal synthesis of air-stable magnesium and decorated magnesium nanoparticles. This has led to multiple high-impact publications, awards, and a patent. This achievement has opened the door to the use of this inexpensive and abundant metal for solar capture (for photocatalysis, including several results demonstrated in the action) and infrared activation in potential cancer therapies (a result branching off this action). The group has been recognized for this achievement and its research direction has now pivoted towards the exploitation of this ground breaking finding.
Meanwhile, several other findings have advanced the state-of-the-art. In particular, electrodeposition approaches have been developed to achieve controllable synthesis of bimetallic structures. Additionally, novel tools and discoveries have been made in the field of crystal growth and twinning for non-traditional (e.g. not gold or silver) nanomaterials.
Meanwhile, several other findings have advanced the state-of-the-art. In particular, electrodeposition approaches have been developed to achieve controllable synthesis of bimetallic structures. Additionally, novel tools and discoveries have been made in the field of crystal growth and twinning for non-traditional (e.g. not gold or silver) nanomaterials.