What are Plasmonics?
Plasmonics is a field of study that focuses on the interaction between electromagnetic field and free electrons in a metal. When light hits the surface of a metal nanostructure, it can excite collective electron oscillations known as
plasmonic resonances. These resonances can confine light to very small dimensions, enhancing the local electromagnetic field and enabling unique applications in
catalysis.
Photothermal Effect: The absorption of light by plasmonic materials leads to localized heating, which can increase the reaction rates.
Hot Electron Injection: Excited electrons (hot electrons) generated from plasmonic materials can transfer to reactant molecules, lowering the activation energy for chemical reactions.
Field Enhancement: The localized electric fields can polarize reactant molecules, making them more reactive.
Solar energy conversion: Plasmonic catalysts can be used in photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel.
Environmental remediation: Plasmonic nanomaterials can degrade pollutants in water and air through photocatalytic processes.
Chemical synthesis: Enhanced reaction rates and selectivity for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Stability: Plasmonic materials, especially silver, can be prone to oxidation and degradation over time.
Efficiency: The efficiency of hot electron injection and energy transfer mechanisms needs improvement.
Scalability: Developing scalable and cost-effective synthesis methods for plasmonic catalysts is crucial for practical applications.
Future research is focused on addressing these challenges by developing more stable and efficient
nanomaterials, understanding the underlying mechanisms of plasmonic enhancement, and integrating plasmonic catalysts into real-world applications.
