Controlling structural symmetry of a hybrid nanostructure and its effect on efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Zhao, Qian; Ji, Muwei; Qian, Hongmei; Dai, Baosong; Weng, Lin; Gui, Jing; Zhang, Jiatao; Ouyang, Min et al. · Adv Mater · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The existence of lattice strain between two different materials can be used to control the fine structural configuration in a hybrid colloidal nanostructure. Enabled by such, the relative position change of Au and CdX in Au-CdX from a symmetric to an asymmetric configuration is demonstrated, which can further lead to fine tuning of plasmon-exciton coupling and different hydrogen photocatalytic performance. These results provide new insight into plasmon enhanced photocatalytic mechanisms and provide potential catalysts for photoreduction reactions.