Investigation of hybrid systems based on chiral plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconducting metal oxides for photocatalytic applications

• Grant number: 24/18336-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana dos Santos de Souza Silva
• Grantee: Juliana dos Santos de Souza Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chirality, a characteristic of objects that do not overlap with their mirror images, is widely explored in organic compounds. Still, its application in inorganic nanostructures, such as gold, silver, and copper nanoparticles, has grown due to their remarkable chiro-optical properties and significant impact on processes like asymmetric catalysis and electronic devices. Hybrid systems formed by these chiral plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor metal oxides, such as TiO2, ZnO, and Fe2O3, hold great potential for applications in various areas due to their multifunctionality. However, this research field still faces challenges such as limited compositional, structural, and morphological diversity and difficulty maintaining high optical activity.This research project aims to develop new classes of hybrid systems formed by chiral plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor metal oxides, focusing on their photocatalytic applications. Additionally, the formation mechanism of semiconductor metal oxides will be investigated in situ using microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, which allows for greater control over the material properties. Raman spectra intensification during synthesis will be promoted by the SERS effect, enabling detailed monitoring of the evolution of nanomaterials. The semiconductor metal oxides to be explored include TiO2, ZnO, BiNbO4, NaNbO3, BiVO4, and WO3, materials with great potential for applications in chiral photocatalysis and hydrogen generation, areas of increasing technological relevance. (AU)