Metallic plasmonic nanostructure arrays for enhanced solar photocatalysis

Abstract

Plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis has emerged as a promising technology for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Compared to isolated or disordered metal nanostructures, by controlling the morphology, composition, size, spacing, and dispersion of individual nanocomponents, plasmonic nanostructure arrays with coupling architectures yield strong broadband light-harvesting capability, efficient charge transfer, enhanced local electromagnetic fields, and large contact interfaces. Although metallic nanostructure arrays are extensively studied for various applications, such as refractive index sensing, surface-enhanced spectroscopy, plasmon-enhanced luminescence, plasmon nanolasing, and perfect light absorption, the connection between surface plasmon resonance and enhanced photocatalysis remains relatively unexplored. In this study, an overview of plasmonic nanostructure arrays over a broad range, from 0D to 3D, for efficient photocatalysis is presented. By reviewing the fundamental mechanisms, recent applications, and latest developments of plasmonic nanostructure arrays in solar-driven chemical conversion, this study reports on the latest guidance toward the integration of plasmonic nanostructures for functional devices in the fields of plasmonic, photonics, photodetection, and solar-energy harvesting.