Hot carriers generated during plasmonic decay in metal nanostructures may be utilised to improve the efficiency of photo-catalytic processes, particularly in combination with a metal oxide to drive photochemical reactions. Here, we report a novel method for the fabrication of core-shell copper/copper oxide nanorods with dimensions designed for an efficient nanocatalyst for the plasmon-driven catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into multi-carbon products. The initial optical properties are determined by the choice of template geometry. However, anodising the copper metamaterial in alkaline electrolytes facilitates the controllable growth of a copper oxide nanoshell. This route not only provides an additional mechanism for tuning the optical properties, but provides a designable catalytic surface over a large surface area opening the door for efficient photo-electrochemical catalysis of CO2. In this work, the fabrication techniques and optical properties.
|