6-Aza-2-thio-thymine–gold nanoclusters: an excellent candidate in the photoelectrochemical field

Abstract

The high performance of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of AuNCs can be achieved with 6-aza-2-thio-thymine–AuNCs (ATT–AuNCs) as a photoactive material. The ATT–AuNCs yielded a cathodic photocurrent density as high as 88 μA cm⁻² with O₂ as electron acceptor, which is three orders of magnitude higher than those of other AuNCs in aqueous solutions. Moreover, ATT–AuNCs also show a higher carrier density, shorter Debye length, and smaller depletion layer width than those of reported AuNCs. This work not only reveals the PEC performance and mechanism of ATT–AuNCs, but also establishes a framework for in-depth design and studying the PEC performance of AuNCs.