Molecular plasmonics: light meets molecules at the nanoscale

Abstract

Certain metal nanoparticles exhibit the effect of localized surface plasmon resonance when interacting with light, based on collective oscillations of their conduction electrons. The interaction of this effect with molecules is of great interest for a variety of research disciplines, both in optics and in the life sciences. This paper attempts to describe and structure this emerging field of molecular plasmonics, situated between the molecular world and plasmonic effects in metal nanostructures, and demonstrates the potential of these developments for a variety of applications.

High‐Throughput Synthesis of Uniform Silver Seed Particles by a Continuous Microfluidic Synthesis Platform

“…Metal nanoparticles are becoming favorite objects in current plasmonics [1]. Their extraordinary optical properties in form of sharp optical resonances, i.e., localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR), are based on coherent oscillations of free conductive electrons upon irradiating electromagnetic waves [2].…”

Metallic metamaterials and plasmonics

“…Mulvaney et al [4] and Csaki et al [5] focus directly on plasmonic structures. Mulvaney et al [4] explore trimers of gold nanorods.…”

“…As the authors point out, there is very considerable added value in combing experiment and theory in one study, as they have done here, they also point to the important role that higher order modes make in small particle clusters, something that one would not necessarily anticipate from single particle work. Csaki et al [5] provide a more application-oriented discussion of the interaction between the plasmon modes of metallic nanoparticles and moleculesa sub-field known as molecular plasmonics. Their emphasis is on the area of biosensing, focusing on some of the key challenges in implementing plasmonics in developing biological diagnostics platforms.…”

“…Their emphasis is on the area of biosensing, focusing on some of the key challenges in implementing plasmonics in developing biological diagnostics platforms. Much has been promised by proponents of plasmon-based biosensing, the challenges identified by Csaki et al [5] will need to be addressed if that potential is to be delivered.…”

Can nanotechnology potentiate photodynamic therapy?

“…The phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance is based on the interaction of the conduction electrons of metal nanostructures with incoming light [154] . The electromagnetic waves induce an oscillation of these electrons and resonances can be observed.…”