Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a composition that includes a modified M/TiO2 composite, method of making the modified M/TiO2 composite, an electrode having modified M/TiO2 composite surface and a photoelectrochemical cell including the electrode, and methods of photoelectrochemical oxidation of water. The modified M/TiO2 composite can be used in an electrode configuration, for example, in a photoelectrochemical cell for the photoelectrochemical oxidation of water. The present disclosure provides for a modified M/TiO2 composite that has a catechol compound(s) (e.g., oligo-catechol) adsorbed onto at least the M (metal) on the surface of the modified M/TiO2 composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods for designing and constructing metal/semiconductor heterostructures as catalysts for a wide range of applications such as oxygen activation. In a particular aspect, the present disclosure provides for the manipulation of atomic structures at M/TiO2 interface (e.g., Au/TiO2 interface) that significantly alters the interfacial electron distribution and prompts O2 activation. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides for a M/TiO2 composites (e.g., heterostructures) having a defect-free M/TiO2 interface and method of making the M/TiO2 composites having a defect-free M/TiO2 interface. The M can be Au, Ag, Cu, Al, Pt, Ni, or Pd, for example.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for metal nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles that have six pointed areas so that the metal nanoparticle resembles a six-pointed star. The distance from opposing points of the six-pointed star is about 400 to 480 nanometers. The present disclosure also provides for a method of making the nanoparticle, where in an aspect, the method is a light-driven synthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods for designing and constructing metal/semiconductor heterostructures as catalysts for a wide range of applications such as oxygen activation. In a particular aspect, the present disclosure provides for the manipulation of atomic structures at MJ/TiO2 interface (e.g., Au/TiO2 interface) that significantly alters the interfacial electron distribution and prompts O2 activation. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides for a M/TiO2 composites (e.g., heterostructures) having a N defect-free M/TiO2 interface and method of making the M/TiO2 composites having a defect-free M/TiO2 interface. The M can be Au, Ag, Cu, Al, Pt, Ni, or Pd, for example.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making various noble metal nanoprisms, e.g., gold nanoprisms. In various aspects, the methods can comprise incubating, under dark conditions, a growth solution comprising: (a) a plurality of gold seed structures; (b) a gold precursor, and (c) a photocatalytic intermediary, such that during the incubating step multiply-twinned gold seed structures in the growth solution are preferentially enlarged. The disclosed methods can comprise separating the multiply-twinned gold seed structures from the growth solution based upon the size of the gold seed structures to produce an enriched growth solution. In some aspects, the methods comprise irradiating the enriched growth solution to produce the gold nanoprisms. In some aspects, the disclosed nanoprisms comprise silver.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making various noble metal nanoprisms, e.g., gold nanoprisms. In various aspects, the methods can comprise incubating, under dark conditions, a growth solution comprising: (a) a plurality of gold seed structures; (b) a gold precursor, and (c) a photocatalytic intermediary, such that during the incubating step multiply-twinned gold seed structures in the growth solution are preferentially enlarged. The disclosed methods can comprise separating the multiply-twinned gold seed structures from the growth solution based upon the size of the gold seed structures to produce an enriched growth solution. In some aspects, the methods comprise irradiating the enriched growth solution to produce the gold nanoprisms. In some aspects, the disclosed nanoprisms comprise silver.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system is formed as a window that is constructed of at least one polymer layer that is filled or decorated with metal nanoparticles and a window frame that includes one or more photovoltaic cells. The metal nanoparticles have a shape and size such that they display surface plasmon resonance frequencies in the near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet. The near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet radiations are scattered such that they are transmitted parallel to the face of the window to the photovoltaic cells, where an electrical current is generated.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system is formed as a window that is constructed of at least one polymer layer that is filled or decorated with metal nanoparticles and a window frame that includes one or more photovoltaic cells. The metal nanoparticles have a shape and size such that they display surface plasmon resonance frequencies in the near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet. The near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet radiations are scattered such that they are transmitted parallel to the face of the window to the photovoltaic cells, where an electrical current is generated.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making various noble metal nanoprisms, e.g., gold nanoprisms. In various aspects, the methods can comprise incubating, under dark conditions, a growth solution comprising: (a) a plurality of gold seed structures; (b) a gold precursor, and (c) a photocatalytic intermediary, such that during the incubating step multiply-twinned gold seed structures in the growth solution are preferentially enlarged. The disclosed methods can comprise separating the multiply-twinned gold seed structures from the growth solution based upon the size of the gold seed structures to produce an enriched growth solution. In some aspects, the methods comprise irradiating the enriched growth solution to produce the gold nanoprisms. In some aspects, the disclosed nanoprisms comprise silver.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making various noble metal nanoprisms, e.g., gold nanoprisms. In various aspects, the methods can comprise incubating, under dark conditions, a growth solution comprising: (a) a plurality of gold seed structures; (b) a gold precursor, and (c) a photocatalytic intermediary, such that during the incubating step multiply-twinned gold seed structures in the growth solution are preferentially enlarged. The disclosed methods can comprise separating the multiply-twinned gold seed structures from the growth solution based upon the size of the gold seed structures to produce an enriched growth solution. In some aspects, the methods comprise irradiating the enriched growth solution to produce the gold nanoprisms. In some aspects, the disclosed nanoprisms comprise silver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for metal nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles that have six pointed areas so that the metal nanoparticle resembles a six-pointed star. The distance from opposing points of the six-pointed star is about 400 to 480 nanometers. The present disclosure also provides for a method of making the nanoparticle, where in an aspect, the method is a light-driven synthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a composition that includes a modified M/TiO2 composite, method of making the modified M/TiO2 composite, an electrode having modified M/TiO2 composite surface and a photoelectrochemical cell including the electrode, and methods of photoelectrochemical oxidation of water. The modified M/TiO2 composite can be used in an electrode configuration, for example, in a photoelectrochemical cell for the photoelectrochemical oxidation of water. The present disclosure provides for a modified M/TiO2 composite that has a catechol compound(s) (e.g., oligo-catechol) adsorbed onto at least the M (metal) on the surface of the modified M/TiO2 composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods for designing and constructing metal/semiconductor heterostructures as catalysts for a wide range of applications such as oxygen activation. In a particular aspect, the present disclosure provides for the manipulation of atomic structures at MJ/TiO2 interface (e.g., Au/TiO2 interface) that significantly alters the interfacial electron distribution and prompts O2 activation. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides for a M/TiO2 composites (e.g., heterostructures) having a N defect-free M/TiO2 interface and method of making the M/TiO2 composites having a defect-free M/TiO2 interface. The M can be Au, Ag, Cu, Al, Pt, Ni, or Pd, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide plasmonic structures, methods of making plasmonic structures, and the like.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making various noble metal nanoprisms, e.g., gold nanoprisms. In various aspects, the methods can comprise incubating, under dark conditions, a growth solution comprising: (a) a plurality of gold seed structures; (b) a gold precursor, and (c) a photocatalytic intermediary, such that during the incubating step multiply-twinned gold seed structures in the growth solution are preferentially enlarged. The disclosed methods can comprise separating the multiply-twinned gold seed structures from the growth solution based upon the size of the gold seed structures to produce an enriched growth solution. In some aspects, the methods comprise irradiating the enriched growth solution to produce the gold nanoprisms. In some aspects, the disclosed nanoprisms comprise silver.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making various noble metal nanoprisms, e.g., gold nanoprisms. In various aspects, the methods can comprise incubating, under dark conditions, a growth solution comprising: (a) a plurality of gold seed structures; (b) a gold precursor, and (c) a photocatalytic intermediary, such that during the incubating step multiply-twinned gold seed structures in the growth solution are preferentially enlarged. The disclosed methods can comprise separating the multiply-twinned gold seed structures from the growth solution based upon the size of the gold seed structures to produce an enriched growth solution. In some aspects, the methods comprise irradiating the enriched growth solution to produce the gold nanoprisms. In some aspects, the disclosed nanoprisms comprise silver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide plasmonic structures, methods of making plasmonic structures, and the like.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system is formed as a window that is constructed of at least one polymer layer that is filled or decorated with metal nanoparticles and a window frame that includes one or more photovoltaic cells. The metal nanoparticles have a shape and size such that they display surface plasmon resonance frequencies in the near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet. The near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet radiations are scattered such that they are transmitted parallel to the face of the window to the photovoltaic cells, where an electrical current is generated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide plasmonic structures, methods of making plasmonic structures, and the like.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system is formed as a window that is constructed of at least one polymer layer that is filled or decorated with metal nanoparticles and a window frame that includes one or more photovoltaic cells. The metal nanoparticles have a shape and size such that they display surface plasmon resonance frequencies in the near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet. The near-infrared and/or the near-ultraviolet radiations are scattered such that they are transmitted parallel to the face of the window to the photovoltaic cells, where an electrical current is generated.