Plasmonic photocatalysts are a class of materials that utilize the unique properties of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to enhance photocatalytic processes. These materials typically consist of noble metal nanoparticles, such as gold (Au) or silver (Ag), which can absorb and scatter light efficiently. When these nanoparticles are exposed to light, they generate localized surface plasmons, which are coherent oscillations of the conduction electrons at the surface of the metal. This phenomenon can significantly increase the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions.
