@article{ZhaoSarhanEljarratetal.2022,
  author    = {Zhao, Yuhang and Sarhan, Radwan Mohamed and Eljarrat, Alberto and Kochovski, Zdravko and Koch, Christoph and Schmidt, Bernd and Koopman, Wouter-Willem Adriaan and Lu, Yan},
  title     = {Surface-functionalized Au-Pd nanorods with enhanced photothermal conversion and catalytic performance},
  series = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces},
  number    = {15},
  publisher = {American Chemical Society},
  address   = {Washington, DC},
  issn      = {1944-8244},
  doi       = {10.1021/acsami.2c00221},
  pages     = {17259 -- 17272},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Bimetallic nanostructures comprising plasmonic and catalytic components have recently emerged as a promising approach to generate a new type of photo-enhanced nanoreactors. Most designs however concentrate on plasmon-induced charge separation, leaving photo-generated heat as a side product. This work presents a photoreactor based on Au-Pd nanorods with an optimized photothermal conversion, which aims to effectively utilize the photo-generated heat to increase the rate of Pd-catalyzed reactions. Dumbbell-shaped Au nanorods were fabricated via a seed-mediated growth method using binary surfactants. Pd clusters were selectively grown at the tips of the Au nanorods, using the zeta potential as a new synthetic parameter to indicate the surfactant remaining on the nanorod surface. The photothermal conversion of the Au-Pd nanorods was improved with a thin layer of polydopamine (PDA) or TiO2. As a result, a 60\% higher temperature increment of the dispersion compared to that for bare Au rods at the same light intensity and particle density could be achieved. The catalytic performance of the coated particles was then tested using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as the model reaction. Under light, the PDA-coated Au-Pd nanorods exhibited an improved catalytic activity, increasing the reaction rate by a factor 3. An analysis of the activation energy confirmed the photoheating effect to be the dominant mechanism accelerating the reaction. Thus, the increased photothermal heating is responsible for the reaction acceleration. Interestingly, the same analysis shows a roughly 10\% higher reaction rate for particles under illumination compared to under dark heating, possibly implying a crucial role of localized heat gradients at the particle surface. Finally, the coating thickness was identified as an essential parameter determining the photothermal conversion efficiency and the reaction acceleration.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{UnuabonahNoeskeWeberetal.2019,
  author    = {Unuabonah, Emmanuel and N{\"o}ske, Robert and Weber, Jens and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Taubert, Andreas},
  title     = {New micro/mesoporous nanocomposite material from low-cost sources for the efficient removal of aromatic and pathogenic pollutants from water},
  series = {Beilstein journal of nanotechnology},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Beilstein journal of nanotechnology},
  publisher = {Beilstein-Institut zur F{\"o}rderung der Chemischen Wissenschaften},
  address   = {Frankfurt, Main},
  issn      = {2190-4286},
  doi       = {10.3762/bjnano.10.11},
  pages     = {119 -- 131},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {A new micro/mesoporous hybrid clay nanocomposite prepared from kaolinite clay, Carica papaya seeds, and ZnCl2 via calcination in an inert atmosphere is presented. Regardless of the synthesis temperature, the specific surface area of the nanocomposite material is between approximate to 150 and 300 m(2)/g. The material contains both micro- and mesopores in roughly equal amounts. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest the formation of several new bonds in the materials upon reaction of the precursors, thus confirming the formation of a new hybrid material. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis and elemental analysis confirm the presence of carbonaceous matter. The new composite is stable up to 900 degrees C and is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a water micropollutant, 4-nitrophenol, and a pathogen, E. coli, from an aqueous medium, suggesting applications in water remediation are feasible.},
  language  = {en}
}