(Image: Screenshot of the article title page)

A research team led by Professor Lou Zaizhu and Associate Professor Liu Xiaolei from the Nanophotonics Institute, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering (College of Science and Engineering) at Jinan University, has achieved significant progress in non‑metallic plasmonic photocatalysis. They successfully developed a nickel‑doped tungsten oxide (Ni‑doped W₁₈O₄₉) non‑metallic plasmonic catalyst featuring dual active sites, which efficiently drives the methanol dehydration reaction to produce the green fuel dimethyl ether (DME). The findings have been published in the prestigious international journal Nature Communications.

Plasmonic photocatalysis utilizes the surface plasmon resonance effect to concentrate light energy on the catalyst surface, offering a novel approach for photocatalytic organic conversions. Previously, the team designed several non‑metallic plasmonic catalysts that enabled the green synthesis of olefins such as ethylene and propylene. However, producing DME requires multi‑step synergistic reactions between methanol molecules, posing a greater challenge for catalyst design.

To address this, Professor Lou Zaizhu’s group collaborated with Professor Zheng Zhaoke from Shandong University to design the nickel‑doped tungsten oxide catalyst. The dual active sites work cooperatively to promote methanol dehydration coupling, while the “hot electrons” generated via surface plasmon resonance substantially lower the energy barrier of the dehydration reaction, leading to highly efficient and selective DME formation.

Furthermore, the team constructed a microchannel reactor system that achieved a DME production rate of 34 mmol h⁻¹ under simulated sunlight, demonstrating the potential of this catalytic system for practical application.

(Image: Microchannel reactor and catalyst characterization)

This study highlights how rationally designed plasmonic catalysts can efficiently drive complex photochemical transformations. It provides a new strategy for developing solar‑powered, green, and sustainable chemical technologies, offering valuable insights for replacing traditional high‑energy‑consumption industrial processes.

The paper is titled “Plasmonic Ni‑doped W₁₈O₄₉ with dual active sites drives efficient methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether.” The first author is Tian Dehua, a doctoral student at Jinan University. Corresponding authors are Professor Lou Zaizhu, Associate Professor Liu Xiaolei, and Professor Zheng Zhaoke from Shandong University.

Link to the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467‑025‑65040‑3

Source: College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering (College of Science and Engineering)  

Text: Lou Zaizhu, Liu Xiaolei  

Images: Lou Zaizhu, Liu Xiaolei  

Release date: November 28, 2025  

Editor: Li Mei