Solid-state charge-based device for control of catalytic carbon monoxide oxidation on platinum nanofilms using external bias and light.

Using a Pt/Si catalytic nanodiode, we externally control the rate of CO oxidation on a Pt nanofilm. The catalytic reaction can be turned on and off by alternating between bias states of the device. Additionally, the reaction rate is sensitive to photocurrent induced by visible light. The effects of both bias and light show that negative charge on the Pt increases catalytic activity, while positive charge on the Pt decreases catalytic activity for CO oxidation.