Plasmonic materials enhance catalysis through several mechanisms:
1. Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR): The excitation of LSPR leads to the generation of hot electrons and holes. These energetic charge carriers can be transferred to nearby molecules, facilitating chemical reactions that would otherwise require higher temperatures or pressures.
2. Photothermal Effect: Plasmonic materials can convert absorbed light into heat, increasing the local temperature and thereby accelerating thermally-driven catalytic reactions.
3. Electromagnetic Field Enhancement: The strong electromagnetic fields generated near the surface of plasmonic materials can polarize reactant molecules, lowering activation energies and increasing reaction rates.
