Engineering ultrasmall metal nanoclusters for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic applications

• Published in: Nanoscale Vol. 11; no. 43; pp. 2437 - 2448
• Main Authors: Chai, Osburg Jin Huang, Liu, Zhihe, Chen, Tiankai, Xie, Jianping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 21.11.2019
• Subjects: Electrocatalysts; Nanoclusters; Noble metals; Optical properties; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 2040-3364; 2040-3372; 2040-3372
• DOI: 10.1039/c9nr07272a

In view of many of the fundamental properties of ultrasmall noble metal nanoclusters progressively being uncovered, it has become increasingly clear that this class of materials has enormous potential for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic applications due to their unique electronic and optical properties. In this Minireview, we highlight the key electronic and optical properties of metal nanoclusters which are essential to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. We further use these properties as the basis for our discussion to map out directions or principles for the rational design of high performance photocatalysts and electrocatalysts, highlighting several successful attempts along this direction. The many fundamental properties of ultrasmall noble metal nanoclusters have made it increasingly clear that they possess enormous potential for photo- and electro-catalytic applications due to their unique electronic and optical properties.