Au@AgPt core/cage nanoframes as photothermal catalyst for enhanced NIR-induced 4-nitrophenol reduction

The selection and optimization of catalysts have been a subject of considerable research interest in recent decades. Bimetallic and multimetallic nanocatalysts, comprised of plasmonic and catalytic components, have recently emerged as a promising approach to achieving high catalytic performance due to synergistic effects. In this study, an Au@AgPt core/cage nanoframe has been successfully fabricated. It features a controllable hollow silver-platinum alloy nanoframe with an in-built plasmonic gold nanorod, serving as a plasmon-enhanced photothermal catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). This well-designed trimetallic nanostructure exhibits a unique core-cage nanoframes structure and surface roughness, offering advantages in both composition and structure. The LSPR-excited local heating effect and hot-electron generation, as well as the intrinsic catalytic active sites, work synergistically and are highly beneficial for temperature-sensitive reaction of 4-NP reduction. Experimental results have shown that the optimized nanocatalysts of Au@AgPt-4, featuring an optimal Pt content and robust photothermal performance, display stable photothermal catalytic properties and the best photothermal catalytic performance compared with other nanostructures, completing the reduction reaction within approximately one minute. This study provides a rational design of nanoscale materials with plasma-enhanced properties, which can help to inspire further catalyst design and optimization.