Title: Plasmonic Au-ZnO photocatalyst

Biography:

S. Gireesh Kumar Completed his Ph.D degree (2012) from Department of Chemistry, Bangalore University, Bangalore and completed my post-doctoral studies (D. S. Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellowship August 2012 – August 2015) under the supervision of Prof. K. S. R. Koteswara Rao at Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Also, He served as Instructor for Undergraduate Research Programme (Chemistry Discipline) at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, INDIA.  At present he working as Assistant Professor at Department of Chemistry, CMR University. 

Abstract

The metal-semiconductor hybrid mediated photocatalytic reactions has been regarded as promising approach, because of the multifaceted functionalities attained due to the synergistic intra-particle interactions at the interface of integrated components. The surface Plasmon resonance of Au NPs and superior photocatalytic properties of ZnO makes them as a prime choice for heterojunction formation, which is extensively explored in pollutant degradation and hydrogen evolution reaction under a variety of reaction conditions.

In this presentation, choice of Au over other noble metals, preparative methods, band offsets between ZnO and Au, core@shell structures, and mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions associated with Au-ZnO will be discussed in detail. The merits and demerits associated with the deposition method of Au and site specific deposition of Au over the ZnO surface will be highlighted. Further progress achieved in Au-ZnO through modifications with organic functional groups that facilitate the formation of stable composite will be explained. In addition, ternary composites of Au-ZnO accomplished by heterostructuring with metals, carbon materials and other semiconductors are discussed by emphasizing on the preparation methods and charge carrier dynamics. This presentation provides sufficient information about the design and development of multifunctional Au-ZnO heterostructure concerning the visible light harvesting ability, charge carrier separation and interface engineering which can be explored in energy and environment applications.