Issue 32, 2024

Cu2+-induced surface structure transformation on Au nanocubes from a concave to a convex configuration: mechanism and catalytic performance

Abstract

Investigation into the relationship between surface structure and catalytic performance is pivotal for guiding the preparation of high-performance nanocatalysts. However, there is a lack of an effective strategy for fine-tuning the surface structure. In this paper, eight kinds of Au nanocubes (AuNCs) with structures ranging from concave to flat to convex were synthesized using trace amounts of Cu2+, and their surface structure-dependent catalytic performance was investigated. In the synthesis, H2O2 reduced Au3+ to Au+ in alkaline CTAB solutions first, and then ascorbic acid was added to initiate the growth of AuNCs. Increasing the Cu2+ amounts led to an evolution of concave → flat → convex surfaces, corresponding to transitions of {hk0} facets. The mechanism involves Cu2+ catalyzing the reaction between H2O2 and ascorbic acid to produce hydroxyl radicals, which promote increased Au0 deposition on the surface center. More importantly, the catalytic performance of AuNCs decreases as the surface evolves from concave to flat to convex. This study demonstrates for the first time that the use of simple substances induces concavo-convex transformation of AuNCs, and elucidates the relationship between surface structure and catalytic performance of AuNCs.

Graphical abstract: Cu2+-induced surface structure transformation on Au nanocubes from a concave to a convex configuration: mechanism and catalytic performance

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 May 2024
Accepted
04 Jul 2024
First published
17 Jul 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 21079-21084

Cu2+-induced surface structure transformation on Au nanocubes from a concave to a convex configuration: mechanism and catalytic performance

R. Zhou, H. Luo, C. Xu, Q. Lin, Y. Du, D. Xu and C. Liu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 21079 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA03282A

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