Engineering Ultrathin Alloy Shell in Au@AuPd Core‐Shell Nanoparticles for Efficient Plasmon‐Driven Photocatalysis

Bimetallic core‐shell nanoparticles (NPs) possessing a synergetic coupling of plasmonic and catalytic metals have emerged as promising prototypes for efficient plasmon‐driven photocatalysis. Here, Au@AuPd core‐shell NPs composed of Au core NP and ultrathin AuPd shell are introduced to acquire improved light utilization efficiency in photocatalytic selective oxidation. With systematical control of the composition of the ultrathin alloy shell, it reveals that the Au@AuPd core‐shell NPs with 10 at% Pd (in the single‐atom alloy regime) is an effective nanostructure capable of maximizing the quantum yield of plasmon‐induced light absorption and optimizing the surface electronic structure for catalytic reactions. This controlled system provides new insights into shell engineering for enhancing photocatalytic performance via the regulation of energy funneling processes in core‐shell nanocatalysts. The Au@AuPd core‐shell nanoparticles (NPs), with an Au core and ultrathin AuPd shell, enhance light utilization efficiency in selective oxidation. By precisely controlling the composition of the ultrathin alloy shell, it is found that Au@AuPd NPs with 10 at% Pd optimize plasmon‐induced light absorption and electronic structure for catalytic reactions. The study highlights the effectiveness of shell engineering for improved photocatalytic performance in core‐shell nanocatalysts.