Heterostructure nanocomposite with local surface plasmon resonance effect enhanced photocatalytic activity—a critical review

Abstract

The unique characteristics of the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect endows heterostructure nanocomposite of noble metal (NM) nanoparticles and semiconducting materials with dramatically enhanced light absorption, charge separation and surface activity. In addition, they boost the development of research in photocatalytic fields including artificial photosynthesis, degradation of pollutants and deactivation of microorganisms. The advantages of using LSPR to improve the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor-based materials as well as the design and synthesis of NM nanoparticles with LSPR for photocatalytic applications have been widely studied in recent years and a great number of research works have been published in these areas. This review will introduce the concept of heterostructure nanocomposite, the basis of LSPR, controlled synthesis and the recent research progress involving applications of LSRP in artificial photosynthesis, degradation of pollutants and deactivation of microorganisms.

Selenium nanoparticles are effective in penetrating pine and causing high oxidative damage to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in pine wilt disease control

“…Therefore, ROS may be the main cause of death in PWNs. Research has shown that most nanoparticles produce ROS through LSPR 34,35 . In this study, the LSPR of SeNPs@CS was shown through UV–vis spectroscopy.…”

“…Research has shown that most nanoparticles produce ROS through LSPR. 34,35 In this study, the LSPR of SeNPs@CS was shown through UV-vis spectroscopy. This study further revealed the process of SeNPs@CS entering the PWNs.…”

A review on plasmonic-based heterojunction photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater

“…Metal NPs can produce robust local electric fields on their surface with a frequency close to their plasmon resonance frequency under light irradiation. The intensity of the electric field of local plasmonic “hot spots” is almost 1000 times larger than the incident electric field, as calculated by electromagnetic simulations using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method [ 64 , 65 ]. Thus, the rate of generation of e − – h + pairs in these “hot spot” regions is 1000 times higher than the incident electromagnetic field.…”

“…The heat then first causes the metal lattice to vibrate and heat up by electron–phonon interaction and is later released to the surrounding medium by phonon–phonon interaction. The duration of this process is in the nanosecond range [ 64 , 76 ]. It is important to point out that the plasmonic photothermal effect has many advantages over conventional heating techniques: (1) the heating rate of the plasmonic photothermal effect is fast, which can improve the performance of the photocatalyst, (2) the selective heating of the plasmonic metal NPs maintains the action of the catalysts and prevents the heating of the surrounding medium during the reaction, since most of the reaction takes place at the catalyst surface, which saves energy, and (3) by adjusting various properties of the plasmonic metal NPs, the heating conditions and the performance of the catalyst can be controlled [ 77 – 79 ].…”

Research on photocatalytic CO2 conversion to renewable synthetic fuels based on localized surface plasmon resonance: current progress and future perspectives

“…3 Light irradiation-induced plasma oscillation. 70 Catalysis Science & Technology Perspective based on catalysts with the LSPR effect are being extensively investigated.…”