Dynamic Self-Assembly Encodes A Tri-stable Au-TiO2Photocatalyst

A tri-stable switchable catalyst is encoded by pH-controlled dynamic self-assembly of gold and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Through precise adjustment of the integrated dynamic covalent and noncovalent self-assembly process of the two types of nanoparticles, the photocatalytic activity of the hybrid system is modulated by switching pH conditions between tri-stable "highly active", "active", and "inactive" states.