pH-Dependent plasmonic catalysis of 4-nitrobenzenethiol in aqueous environment

Plasmon-driven chemical reaction of 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT) dimerizing to p,p′-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) has been successfully monitored under different pH solutions. The experimental results indicated that the chemical reactions were dependent on the pH values, and they proceeded more completely under acidic conditions than those under neutral and alkaline conditions. Furthermore, the rate of the chemical reactions was effectively controlled by exposure time and incident laser power. The stable pH dependence demonstrated the plasmon-driven chemical reactions of 4-NBT to DMAB are sensitive to the surrounding environment, and have wider applications.