Gold/ Cadmium Sulfur Core Shell Nanoparticles (Au/CdS sulfur Core Shell, 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm)

Gold/ Cadmium Sulfur Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Applications:

Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Harvesting

Solar Cells: Au/CdS core-shell nanoparticles have shown promise as components in solar energy harvesting and photovoltaic devices. The plasmonic gold core can enhance light absorption, while the CdS shell, a semiconductor material, can absorb photons and generate electron-hole pairs. The enhanced light absorption and photogenerated charge separation increase the efficiency of solar cells by improving the capture of sunlight and conversion to electrical energy. By optimizing the structure, these nanoparticles can be integrated into thin-film solar cells or hybrid solar cells for more efficient energy conversion.

Photocatalysis for Solar Fuel Production: Gold/CdS nanoparticles are also studied for solar fuel production, such as hydrogen generation via photoelectrochemical water splitting. The combination of plasmonic effects from the gold core and the photocatalytic activity of the CdS shell can improve the overall efficiency of solar-to-fuel conversion processes. In these applications, the nanoparticles can absorb visible light, generate charge carriers (electrons and holes), and facilitate the reduction of water into hydrogen.

Photocatalysis and Environmental Remediation

Environmental Cleanup: The photocatalytic properties of CdS make Au/CdS core-shell nanoparticles useful for environmental remediation, particularly in photodegradation of organic pollutants and wastewater treatment. Upon light irradiation, CdS can generate electron-hole pairs that participate in redox reactions, breaking down toxic organic molecules in the environment. The gold core can enhance the photocatalytic performance by providing localized heating through plasmonic effects and improving light absorption, thus accelerating the degradation process.

Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation Reactions: Gold-catalyzed reactions, such as hydrogenation or dehydrogenation, are also enhanced when gold is combined with semiconductor shells like CdS. The Au/CdS nanoparticles have been explored as catalysts for various green chemistry processes, such as the reduction of nitroaromatics or hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds, due to their enhanced light absorption and catalytic properties.