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Tönu Pullerits. Portrait.

Tönu Pullerits

Professor

Tönu Pullerits. Portrait.

Co-adsorption of p-mercaptobenzoic acid on silver nanoparticles enhances the plasmon-mediated coupling reaction of p-ethynylaniline

Author

  • Jiacheng Ding
  • Jibiao Luo
  • Yandong Che
  • Xu Wang
  • Lingru Kong
  • Tõnu Pullerits
  • Peng Song
  • Yanqiu Yang

Summary, in English

The enhancement of the electromagnetic field elicited by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is conducive to the generation of charge carriers, which have an important effect in driving many kinds of chemical reactions. Nonetheless, the short lifespan of charge carriers generated by plasmon (typically femtoseconds to nanoseconds) limits their effectiveness in promoting chemical reactions. Here, we have applied surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy to probe the plasmon-mediated coupling reaction of p-ethynylaniline (PEAN) on silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The use of p-mercaptobenzoic acid (PMBA) as a co-catalyst facilitated the transfer and separation of hot electrons produced by the plasmon at its interface with the Ag NPs. This process accelerated the PEAN coupling reaction by extending the lifespan of hot carriers, which was achieved by matching hot electrons produced by the plasmon with the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy distribution of co-adsorbed PMBA molecules. These survey results indicate the potential for effective acceleration or inhibition of plasmon-mediated chemical reactions (PMCR) through the introduction of molecular co-catalysts, offering a simple, cost-effective, and efficient strategy for preparing plasmon catalysts.

Department/s

  • Chemical Physics
  • eSSENCE: The e-Science Collaboration
  • NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience
  • LTH Profile Area: Nanoscience and Semiconductor Technology
  • LTH Profile Area: Photon Science and Technology
  • LU Profile Area: Light and Materials

Publishing year

2026-02

Language

English

Publication/Series

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry

Volume

471

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Condensed Matter Physics (including Material Physics, Nano Physics)
  • Chemical Sciences

Keywords

  • Molecular co-catalysts
  • P-ethynylaniline coupling reaction
  • Plasmon-mediated chemical reactions
  • Surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1010-6030