Enhancing Catalyst Stability with Plasmonic Hot Carriers for Nitrous Oxide Decomposition, Carbon Monoxide Oxidation, and Steam Methane Reforming

Catalyst stability is critical for determining the scientific and industrial value of important catalytic processes. In industry, catalysts invariably undergo deactivation, requiring frequent regeneration or replacement. Traditional methods for enhancing stability typically involve modifying the catalyst composition or structure and optimizing the reaction conditions. Plasmonic photocatalysis is emerging as a promising technology for efficient, environmentally friendly catalysis, frequently demonstrating improved performance due to nonequilibrium, “hot” carriers generated by plasmon decay. Here we demonstrate how hot carriers in plasmonic photocatalysis enhance the catalyst stability. Using copper-based antenna-reactor photocatalysts in three representative reactions (nitrous oxide decomposition, carbon monoxide oxidation, and steam methane reforming), we observe how hot carriers facilitate desorption of poisoning species, maintaining catalyst stability. Furthermore, plasmonic photocatalysis improves the structural stability by preventing catalyst sintering, which is a common phenomenon in thermocatalysis. Our findings highlight hot carrier generation as an effective strategy for stabilizing copper-based antenna-reactor photocatalysts, paving the way for extended catalyst lifetimes.