Pt nanocluster-Fe single atom pairs dual-regulate charge extraction and interfacial reaction for enhanced photoelectric response.

Chen, Yuanxing; Qin, Ying; Liu, Mingwang; Yang, Wenhong; Qiu, Yiwei; Li, Wen; Zheng, Lirong; Gu, Wenling et al. · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Energy level mismatches between semiconductors and cocatalysts often induce carrier recombination, limiting photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) efficiency. Here, we integrate Pt nanocluster-Fe single-atom pairs with CuO to regulate both solid-solid and solid-liquid interfaces in PEC systems. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that an Ohmic contact at the CuO/Pt interface accelerates electron extraction, while Pt-to-Fe charge transfer enhances oxygen reduction at Fe sites, collectively boosting reaction kinetics. Leveraging this, we construct a PEC biosensor exploiting chelating effect of glyphosate on CuO to impede electron transfer, achieving a detection limit of 0.41 ng/mL. This interface engineering strategy advances cocatalyst design for enhanced energy conversion and sensing applications by simultaneously addressing carrier dynamics and interfacial reaction barriers.