Three-dimensional Ag(I)-fullerene hybrid microcrystal is fabricated by AgNO3 assisted liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation, containing the abundant sp2-π-electron system. With a mild chemical reduction, it produces the massive Ag nanocluster/fullerene junctions, on which fullerene doubles role as the excellent electron acceptor and photon scavenger, enabling the Plasmon-driven catalytic reaction. Ag nanocluster employed alone could not perform this photocatalytic reaction, neither of fullerene (C60) crystal. It implicates that Ag-fullerene interface is a key to drive catalytic process. Relative to conventional TiO2 nanostructures, fullerene expands light absorption to most solar wavelength and possesses a tightened bandgap which intrinsically expedites the charge transfer and charge separation from coinage metals. Demonstrated by photodegradation of organic molecules, this Ag(I)-fullerene (C60) composite, consisted of a plethora of electron donor-acceptor dyads renders an additional member to photocatalyst family, potentially implemented for photo-electron conversion, water remedy and beyond.
Keywords: Ag-fullerene; Fullerene crystal; Nanocomposite; Photocatalytic reactions; Photodegradation.
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