Visible light enhanced catalytic activity of Aun subnanoclusters: the importance of d–sp interband transitions

Abstract

Polymers can serve as an effective matrix to stabilize gold nanoparticles. These materials offer a continuous light-activated supply of subnanoclusters, which are composed of a few atoms. We report an efficient approach to enhance the catalytic activity of gold subnanoclusters by in situ feeding of these species through the generation of hot carriers via 5d–6s6p interband transitions on PEG-stabilized Au nanoparticles.