Improving the Photostability of Ultrasmall Au Clusters via a Combined Strategy of Surface Engineering and Interfacial Modification

Photostability is a critical issue for evaluating the use of photocatalysts to realize large-scale implementation of solar energy conversion. Recently emerged ultrasmall gold (Au) clusters with distinctive physicochemical properties have been regarded as visible-light photosensitizers for photoredox catalysis, whereas the poor stability under visible-light exposure greatly restricts their photocatalytic applications. Herein, we provide a proof-of-concept study on enhancing the photostability of ultrasmall Au clusters via a combined strategy of surface engineering and interfacial modification. The photostability of Au clusters on the surface of TiO2 nanosheets with less hydroxyl group can be improved to some extent as compared to that on TiO2 nanoparticles with abundant hydroxyl groups under continuous visible-light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm). Moreover, the subsequent modification of branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) between TiO2 nanosheets and Au clusters further improves their photostability upon light illumination. Consequently, the as-constructed TiO2 nanosheet-BPEI-Au cluster composites exhibit stable visible-light activity toward Cr(VI) photoreduction. It is hoped that the joint strategy via surface engineering and interfacial modification provides a facile guideline for stabilizing ultrasmall Au clusters toward targeting applications in the photoredox catalysis process.