Photochemical Oxidative Growth of Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CdSe@CdS Nanorods

Summary

A protocol for the photochemical oxidative growth of small crystalline iridium oxide nanoparticles on the surface of CdSe@CdS seeded rod nanoparticles is presented.

Abstract

We demonstrate a procedure for the photochemical oxidative growth of iridium oxide catalysts on the surface of seeded cadmium selenide-cadmium sulfide (CdSe@CdS) nanorod photocatalysts. Seeded rods are grown using a colloidal hot-injection method and then moved to an aqueous medium by ligand exchange. CdSe@CdS nanorods, an iridium precursor and other salts are mixed and illuminated. The deposition process is initiated by absorption of photons by the semiconductor particle, which results with formation of charge carriers that are used to promote redox reactions. To insure photochemical oxidative growth we used an electron scavenger. The photogenerated holes oxidize the iridium precursor, apparently in a mediated oxidative pathway. This results in the growth of high quality crystalline iridium oxide particles, ranging from 0.5 nm to about 3 nm, along the surface of the rod. Iridium oxide grown on CdSe@CdS heterostructures was studied by a variety of characterization methods, in order to evaluate its characteristics and quality. We explored means for control over particle size, crystallinity, deposition location on the CdS rod, and composition. Illumination time and excitation wavelength were found to be key parameters for such control. The influence of different growth conditions and the characterization of these heterostructures are described alongside a detailed description of their synthesis. Of significance is the fact that the addition of iridium oxide afforded the rods astounding photochemical stability under prolonged illumination in pure water (alleviating the requirement for hole scavengers).

Introduction

Photocatalysis presents an attractive and promising solution for renewable energy generation and other environmental applications such as water treatment and air purification^1-3. Overall water splitting, driven by solar energy, could be a source of clean and renewable hydrogen fuel; however, despite decades of research, systems that are sufficiently stable and efficient for practical use have not yet been realized.

Both photodeposition and semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis rely on the same mechanism of separating photo-generated electron-hole pairs and driving them to the surface where they can initiate redox reactions. The s....

Protocol

1. Synthesis of Quantum Dots²¹

1. Preparation of TOP:Se Precursor
   1. Combine 58 mg of Se powder with 0.360 g of Tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP) in a vial with a septum.
   2. Sonicate the TOP:Se mixture until it is clear with no solids.
2. Synthesis of CdSe
   1. Combine 3.0 g trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), 280 mg n-octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA), and 60 mg CdO with a 3 mm x 8 mm cylindrical stir bar in a 25 ml 3-neck round bottom flask equipped with a thermocouple (inserted in a custom glass adapter), a reflux condenser with a T-joint (center neck), and a rubber septum. Assemble all glass-to-glass joints with ....

Results

Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) were collected in order to see the distribution of iridium oxide on the seeded rods (Figure 1). TEM samples were prepared by pipetting a drop of dissolved particles onto a TEM grid. X-ray diffraction (XRD, Figure 2) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS, Figure 3) were used to characterize the observed growth as a mix of crystalline IrO₂ and Ir₂O₃. Preparation of XRD .......

Discussion

The synthesis of CdSe seeds and CdSe@CdS seeded rods has been well studied^21,24,25. Slight modifications to the amounts, temperatures, and times for steps of the synthesis of these substrate particles can be used to tune their length, diameter, and/or morphology. The synthetic protocol described herein yields highly photoluminescent seeded-rods of uniform dimensions.

The ligand exchange procedure allows for the use of seeded rods in polar environments, in this case water. At the fin.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Sulfur (S)	Sigma	84683
Selenium (Se)	Sigma	229865
Cadmium Oxide (CdO)	Sigma	202894	Highly Toxic
n-Octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA)	Sigma	715166
Propylphosphonic acid (PPA)	Sigma	305685	Highly regulated in some countries and regions
Butylphosphonic acid (BPA)	Sigma	737933	Alternative to PPA
Hexylphosphonic acid (HPA)	Sigma	750034	Alternative to PPA
Trioctylphosphonic oxide (TOPO)	Sigma	346187
Tri-n-octylphosphine, 97% (TOP)	Sigma	718165	Air sensitive
Spectrochemical Stirbar	Sigma	Z363545
Sodium Hydroxide	Sigma	S5881
Methanol	Sigma	322415
Toluene	Sigma	244511
Hexane	Sigma	296090
Octylamine	Sigma	74988
Nonanoic Acid	Sigma	N5502
Isopropanol	Sigma	278475
Mercaptoundecanoic Acid (MUA)	Sigma	674427
Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide (TMAH)	Sigma	T7505
Apiezon H Grease (high temperature grease)	Sigma	Z273562
Sodium Persulfate	Sigma	216232
Sodium Nitrate	Sigma	229938
Sodium Hexachloroiridate(III) hydrate	Sigma	288160
Mounted 455 nm LED	Thorlabs	M455L3
Cuvette Holder	Thorlabs	CVH100
25 ml 3-neck Round Bottom Flask	Chemglass	CG-1524-A-02
Liebig Condensor	Chemglass	CG-1218-A-20
T-Joint Adapter	Chemglass	AF-0509-10