Plasmonic behaviour and plasmon-induced charge separation of nanostructured MoO3−x under near infrared irradiation

Abstract

Plasmon-induced charge separation (PICS) allows direct conversion of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to electron flows and photoelectrochemical reactions. However, PICS has only been achieved using plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles, not with compound nanoparticles. In order to achieve compound PICS, MoO_3−x nanostructures were prepared that exhibit LSPR in the near infrared region by using metal oxides or metal nanoparticles as templates. Solid-state cells based on the MoO_3−x nanostructure were developed. Their photoresponse to 700–1400 nm infrared light was investigated and analyzed on the basis of their PICS mechanisms.