金属ナノ粒子で捕捉した光による電気化学過程

摘要

Photoelectrochemistry and photocvoltaic processes based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of metal nanoparticles are described. Light absorption by a semiconductor or a dye molecule can be enhanced by plasmonic metal nanoparticles on the basis of the far-field scattering effect, near-field antenna effect, or energy- transfer effect. Therefore, photoelectrochemical processes such as semiconductor photocatalysis and dye-sensitized photovoltaics can be enhanced by those effects. On the other hand, if a semiconductor is in contact with plasmonic metal nanoparticles, resonant nanoparticles may inject electrons to the conduction band of the semiconductor. This effect, plasmon-induced charge separation (PICS), can be applied to photocatalysis, photovoltaics, photochromism, sensors, and so on. Photosensitization of a semiconductor by metal clusters is also described.