Method for activating catalyst using photothermal nanomaterials

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for activating a catalyst using the photothermal effects of photothermal nanomaterials, and more particularly to a method of activating a catalyst at a temperature, at which the catalyst has low or no activity, by irradiating a catalyst-photothermal nanomaterial composite with light. The method can activate the catalyst by increasing only the temperature around the nanomaterials without substantially changing the temperature of the reaction medium. A catalyst that generally has high activity at room temperature can be activated even at low temperature. Catalysts having high activity only under mild conditions are immobilized on photothermal nanomaterials so that they have activity even under low temperature and extreme conditions. The invention is useful when a catalyst substrate unstable at room temperature is used or a catalytic product unstable at room temperature is produced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.