Plexcitonics: Coupled and Plasmon-Exciton Systems with Tailorable Properties.

摘要

This project focuses on the interactions between plasmon-resonant- 'plasmonic'- materials and structures and molecules, and how the coupling between plasmonic media can modify either molecular-'excitonic' properties. In this three year project we have demonstrated hot electron-induced photodissociation of H2 on Au nanoparticles at room temperature. The Au catalyst nanoparticles are embedded in TiO2 or SiO2 media and the role of the Au plasmon and the embedding media in the dissociation of H2 has been investigated. Single nanoparticle dimer plexcitonic structures have been investigated and show the largest Rabi splitting reported. Fano resonant NP clusters have been investigated in efficient four wave mixing and SECARS detection of small and large molecules. In the past year we have also demonstrated efficient steam generation from aqueous nanoparticles solutions without heating the bulk volume of the liquid. Application in ethanol distillation and sanitation have been demonstrated.