pH-Dependent plasmonic catalysis of 4-nitrobenzenethiol in aqueous environment

• Under acidic condition, plasmonic catalysis of 4-NBT dimerizing to DMAB has been successfully monitored by SERS, which cannot occur for PATP.
• The plasmon catalyzed reaction is dependent on the pH values, exposure time and incident laser power.
• More complete reactions and a faster reaction rate can be observed in acidic and alkaline condition, especially in acidic condition.

Plasmon-driven chemical reaction of 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT) dimerizing to p,p′-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) has been successfully monitored under different pH solutions. The experimental results indicated that the chemical reactions were dependent on the pH values, and they proceeded more completely under acidic conditions than those under neutral and alkaline conditions. Furthermore, the rate of the chemical reactions was effectively controlled by exposure time and incident laser power. The stable pH dependence demonstrated the plasmon-driven chemical reactions of 4-NBT to DMAB are sensitive to the surrounding environment, and have wider applications.

The plasmonic catalysis of 4-NBT dimerizing to DMAB has been monitored in aqueous environment, and more complete reactions and a faster reaction rate can be observed in acidic and alkaline condition, especially in acidic condition.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide