Chiral hybrid materials of Au, Pd, Pt nanoparticles and TiO¿ and WO¿ for photoelectrochemical water disproportionation.

• Grant number: 25/13192-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana dos Santos de Souza Silva
• Grantee: Priscila Hasse Palharim
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/18336-0 - Investigation of hybrid systems based on chiral plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconducting metal oxides for photocatalytic applications, AP.R

Abstract

This project aims to develop hybrid materials composed of chiral plasmonic nanoparticles of Au, Pd, and Pt, combined with chiral semiconducting metal oxides of WO¿ and TiO¿, with applications in hydrogen generation. The objectives include optimizing synthesis methods for these nanoparticles and preparing chiral oxide structures via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. The project also intends to investigate the reaction mechanisms of these materials using advanced techniques such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and to explore their application as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical processes for hydrogen production.The chiral plasmonic nanoparticles will be synthesized using traditional chemical methods with the addition of chiral inducers, as well as through radiolysis. The production of chiral structures of TiO¿ and WO¿ will be carried out via solvothermal routes, using various solvents and chirality inducers. The formation mechanism of the metal oxides will be monitored by in situ Raman spectroscopy enhanced by the SERS effect.Materials with suitable properties will be tested in photoelectrocatalytic processes and hydrogen generation. The influence of polarized light on these processes will also be evaluated. This study will contribute to advancing efficient hydrogen production using innovative materials with distinct structural and electronic characteristics.