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The hydrogen evolution and nitrite reduction reactions are key to producing green hydrogen and ammonia. Antenna–reactor nanoparticles hold promise to improve the performances of these transformations under visible‐light excitation, by combining plasmonic and catalytic materials. However, current materials involve compromising either on the catalytic activity or the plasmonic enhancement and also lack control of reaction selectivity. Here, we demonstrate that ultralow loadings and non‐uniform surface segregation of the catalytic component optimize catalytic activity and selectivity under visible‐light irradiation. Taking Pt−Au as an example we find that fine‐tuning the Pt content produces a 6‐fold increase in the hydrogen evolution compared to commercial Pt/C as well as a 6.5‐fold increase in the nitrite reduction and a 2.5‐fold increase in the selectivity for producing ammonia under visible light excitation relative to dark conditions. Density functional theory suggests that the catalytic reactions are accelerated by the intimate contact between nanoscale Pt‐rich and Au‐rich regions at the surface, which facilitates the formation of electron‐rich hot‐carrier puddles associated with the Pt‐based active sites. The results provide exciting opportunities to design new materials with improved photocatalytic performance for sustainable energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this paper, for standalone and grid‐connected PV systems, a three‐phase simplified split‐source inverter (SSI) is proposed and controlled using a model‐predictive control (MPC). The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) approach used is an incremental conductance method based on a PI controller for both systems. The standalone system is composed of PV modules, a three‐phase SSI, and a bidirectional power DC–DC converter that connects a battery bank and a DC‐side capacitor. The output AC voltages of SSI are controlled using MPC. The bidirectional power DC–DC converter regulates the DC‐link voltage (DCLV). The grid‐connected system consists of PV modules, a three‐phase SSI, and an AC‐side L‐filter. The DC‐link PI controller generates reference currents for the MPC algorithm. The MPC uses these reference currents to adjust and deliver the PV power to the grid while regulating the DCLV. The PI controllers' parameters are selected for both systems using the Harris Hawks optimization method. Both PV systems simulation results show that under various operating conditions, they have succeeded in fixing a DCLV and producing a high‐quality AC output voltage and current at low THD. Experimental results for the three‐phase standalone PV system used to verify the system's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bridgeless ac‐dc converters are the optimal choice for many applications, as they offer many advantages such as low distorted supply current, high power factor, and improved efficiency. This paper presents a new topology for a single‐phase bridgeless ac‐dc converter. The proposed hybrid topology is based on integrating the inverting and non‐inverting buck‐boost dc‐dc converters that are connected to the ac supply through an LC filter. To insure sinusoidal supply current, the proposed hybrid bridgeless ac‐dc converter is operated in discontinuous current mode. The proposed converter has many merits, such as a reduced number of components, enhanced efficiency, and soft start‐up capability. The operation modes and design of the proposed converter are presented. In addition, a design method is proposed for the input LC filter to minimize the voltage stress across switches. Moreover, a small signal model for the proposed converter is developed. The proposed converter topology is simulated to evaluate the dynamic behavior and verify the accuracy of the presented small signal model. Furthermore, an 850 W prototype is developed to validate the features of the proposed converter experimentally. Tight voltage regulation, sinusoidal supply current, and near‐to‐unity power factor operation are observed from the results, regardless of supply or load disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic catalysis has been employed to enhance molecular transformations under visible light excitation, leveraging the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in plasmonic nanoparticles. While plasmonic catalysis has been employed for accelerating reaction rates, achieving control over the reaction selectivity has remained a challenge. In addition, the incorporation of catalytic components into traditional plasmonic-catalytic antenna-reactor nanoparticles often leads to a decrease in optical absorption. To address these issues, this study focuses on the synthesis of bimetallic core@shell Au@AuPd nanoparticles (NPs) with ultralow loadings of palladium (Pd) into gold (Au) NPs. The goal is to achieve NPs with an Au core and a dilute alloyed shell containing both Au and Pd, with a low Pd content of around 10 atom %. By employing the (photo)electrocatalytic nitrite reduction reaction (NO 2 RR) as a model transformation, experimental and theoretical analyses show that this design enables enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity under visible light illumination. We found that the optimized Pd distribution in the alloyed shell allowed for stronger interaction with key adsorbed species, leading to improved catalytic activity and selectivity, both under no illumination and under visible light excitation conditions. The findings provide valuable insights for the rational design of antenna-reactor plasmonic-catalytic NPs with controlled activities and selectivity under visible light irradiation, addressing critical challenges to enable sustainable molecular transformations.