Synthesis of Au@AgAuS core–shell hybrid nanorods and their photocatalytic application

• Published in: Colloid and interface science communications Vol. 49; p. 100635
• Main Authors: Pradyasti, Astrini, Kim, Dae Seok, Kim, Mun Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2022
• Subjects: Core-shell nanostructures; Localized surface plasmon; Metal–semiconductor hybrid; Nanorods; Photocatalysis; Metal–semiconductor hybrid; Core-shell nanostructures; Localized surface plasmon; Photocatalysis; Nanorods
• ISSN: 2215-0382; 2215-0382
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colcom.2022.100635

Hybrid nanostructures combining plasmonic metals and metal chalcogenide semiconductors are powerful materials for achieving high photocatalytic activity because of the synergistic properties of the two components. In the present study, we report a water-based synthesis strategy to fabricate Au@AgAuS core–shell hybrid nanorods from Au nanorod seeds via sequential sophisticated synthetic methods involving seed-mediated growth, a galvanic replacement reaction, and a surface-selective sulfidation reaction. The morphological evolutions (from core–shell to yolk–shell and back to core–shell) and compositional conversions (from plasmonic bimetals to a plasmonic metal–rare-mixed-metal chalcogenide) during the consecutive reactions were systematically investigated. Because the unique composition, structure, and plasmonic characteristics of the Au@AgAuS hybrid nanorods motivated us to use them as photocatalysts, we evaluated their photocatalytic activity via the photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. [Display omitted] •Au@AgAuS core-shell hybrid nanorods were synthesized.•A set of sophisticated reaction strategies were used to synthesize the hybrids.•Morphological evolutions during the synthetic pathway were noteworthy.•The hybrid nanorods exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance.