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Au/anionic clays nanoarchitectonics as novel photocatalysts for hydrogen generation from water, under solar irradiation  

Mihaela Birsanu 1Hermenegildo Garcia 2Kiyoshi Okada 3Magda Puscasu 1Gabriela Carja 1

1. Technical University from Iasi (UTI), Bd.D.Mangeron 63, Iasi 700050, Romania
2. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (ITEAM), C/ Camino Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain
3. Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT), Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan

Abstract

We present here nanoarchitectonics of nanoparticles of gold/LDH anionic clays  as active plasmonic photocatalysts for H2 production from water/methanol mixtures (80:20) by using solar light, at room temperature [1]. The fabrication of Au/LDHs, as self-assemblies, is based on the formation of nanosized gold on the surface of the anionic clay during the clay structural reconstruction in the aqueous solution of AuCl3 or Au(O2CCH3)3. No organic compound is involved either in the clay synthesis or in the formation and the organization of Au NPs. The derived mixed oxides are obtained from Au/LDHs by calcination at 750°C. All the catalysts exhibit strong light absorption at around 550 nm due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of nanosized gold. Results reveal that not only the size-dependent characteristics of Au nanoparticles (e.g.: DAu, SAu) but also the composition of the LDH clay are important parameters for establishing the catalysts effectiveness for H2 production under solar irradiation at room temperature. Au/clay nanoarchitectonics can open new opportunities for progress in the development of complex plasmonic nanostructures as solar-light driven photocatalysts for clean H2 production.

[1] J. Mater. Chem A, accepted manuscript; DOI: 10.1039/C3TA11569K.

 

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Presentation: Invited oral at Nano and Advanced Materials Workshop and Fair, by Gabriela Carja
See On-line Journal of Nano and Advanced Materials Workshop and Fair

Submitted: 2013-05-30 18:57
Revised:   2013-05-30 19:03