Electron Flow Generated by Gas Phase Exothermic Catalytic Reactions Using a Platinum−Gallium Nitride Nanodiode

We report steady-state conversion of chemical reaction energy into hot electrons by ballistic injection into a platinum-gallium nitride (Pt/GaN) nanodiode during the platinum-catalyzed oxidation of carbon monoxide. Surface catalytic reactions of molecules from the gas phase generated continuous steady-state hot electron currents with energies at least that of Schottky barrier energy ( approximately 1 eV). These hot electron currents were observed on two different nanodiodes (Pt/TiO2 and Pt/GaN) and represent a new method of chemical energy conversion.