Issue 3, 2021

Fundamentals and applications of photo-thermal catalysis

Abstract

Photo-thermal catalysis has recently emerged as an alternative route to drive chemical reactions using light as an energy source. Through the synergistic combination of photo- and thermo-chemical contributions of sunlight, photo-thermal catalysis has the potential to enhance reaction rates and to change selectivity patterns, even under moderate operation conditions. This review provides the fundamentals of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) that explain the photo-thermal effect in plasmonic structures, describes the different mechanistic pathways underlying photo-thermal catalysis, suggests methodologies to disentangle the reaction mechanisms and proposes material design strategies to improve photo-thermal performance. Ultimately, the goal is to pave the way for the wide implementation of this promising technology in the production of synthetic fuels and chemicals.

Graphical abstract: Fundamentals and applications of photo-thermal catalysis

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Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
23 Aug 2020
First published
18 Dec 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2021,50, 2173-2210

Fundamentals and applications of photo-thermal catalysis

D. Mateo, J. L. Cerrillo, S. Durini and J. Gascon, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2021, 50, 2173 DOI: 10.1039/D0CS00357C

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