In plasmonic catalysis, the enhanced electromagnetic fields generated by plasmonic resonances can increase the rate of chemical reactions. This enhancement occurs through various mechanisms:
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.
