Revealing the Effect of Nanoscopic Design on the Charge Carrier Separation Processes in Semiconductor‐Metal Nanoparticle Gel Networks

authored by

Jakob Schlenkrich, Dániel Zámbó, Anja Schlosser, Pascal Rusch, Nadja C. Bigall

Abstract

In this paper, it is shown that the nanoscopic design of combining semiconductors and noble metals has a direct impact on the macroscopic (electrochemical) properties of their assembled, hyperbranched, macroscopic gel networks. Controlled and arbitrary deposition of gold domains on CdSe/CdS nanorods leads to tipped and randomly decorated heteroparticles, respectively. Structural and optical properties of the gel networks depend upon assembling the hybrid particles by means of oxidative or ionic routes. Additionally, the impact of different building block designs on the charge carrier separation processes is investigated from spectroelectrochemical point of view. A more efficient charge carrier separation is revealed in the tipped design manifesting in higher negative photocurrent efficiencies compared to the arbitrary decoration, where the charge recombination processes are more remarkable. This work sheds light on the importance of the nanostructuring on the spectroelectrochemical properties at the macroscale paving the way towards their use in photochemical reactions.

Organisation(s)

Section Functional nanostructures from assembled colloidal nanoparticles
Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry
Section Catalysis and Membranes
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines

Type

Article

Journal

Advanced optical materials

Volume

10

ISSN

2195-1071

Publication date

07.01.2022

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202101712 (Access: Open)