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Title: Switching of electrochemical selectivity due to plasmonic field-induced dissociation
Electrochemical reactivity is known to be dictated by the structure and composition of the electrocatalyst–electrolyte interface. Here, we show that optically generated electric fields at this interface can influence electrochemical reactivity insofar as to completely switch reaction selectivity. We study an electrocatalyst composed of gold–copper alloy nanoparticles known to be active toward the reduction of CO2to CO. However, under the action of highly localized electric fields generated by plasmonic excitation of the gold–copper alloy nanoparticles, water splitting becomes favored at the expense of CO2reduction. Real-time time-dependent density functional tight binding calculations indicate that optically generated electric fields promote transient-hole-transfer-driven dissociation of the O─H bond of water preferentially over transient-electron-driven dissociation of the C─O bond of CO2. These results highlight the potential of optically generated electric fields for modulating pathways, switching reactivity on/off, and even directing outcomes.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2304910
PAR ID:
10599932
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
National Academy of Sciences
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume:
121
Issue:
41
ISSN:
0027-8424
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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