Visualization of nano-localized and delocalized oxidation sites for plasmon-induced charge separation

Oxidation reaction sites for plasmon-induced charge separation at Au nanocubes on TiO2 were visualized on the basis of deposition and dissolution reactions. For Pb2+ oxidation, PbO2 was deposited selectively at resonance sites of the nanocube, while oxidation polymerization of pyrrole to polypyrrole and oxidative dissolution of Au took place over the entire nanocube surface. The localized and delocalized reaction sites are explained in terms of a relationship between oxidation potentials of the electron donors and potentials of the entire nanocube and localized holes.