List of participants
Poster list
The 300th Faraday Discussion
Hot electron science in plasmonics and catalysis: what we argue about
This paper summarises the challenges and perspectives arising from the Faraday Discussion on Hot-electron science and microscopic processes in plasmonics and catalysis held in February 2019.
Direct hot-carrier transfer in plasmonic catalysis
An ab initio computational study of direct hot-carrier transfer at metal–molecule interfaces with relevance to plasmonic catalysis.
Spiers Memorial Lecture
In these introductory remarks we discuss the generation of nonequilibrium electrons in metals, their properties, and how they can be utilized in two emerging applications: for extending the capabilities of photodetection (left), and for photocatalysis (right), lowering the barriers of chemical reactions.
Hot electron-driven photocatalysis and transient absorption spectroscopy in plasmon resonant grating structures
We have developed a method to measure photocurrents produced by photoexcited hot electrons and holes in bulk metal films.
Unearthing the factors governing site specific rates of electronic excitations in multicomponent plasmonic systems and catalysts
Direct electronic transitions act as a preferential dissipation pathway for plasmon energy in multicomponent plasmonic systems.
Paper
Hot electron effects during reactive scattering of H2 from Ag(111): assessing the sensitivity to initial conditions, coupling magnitude, and electronic temperature
We use an analytical representation of electronic friction for H2 on Ag(111) to assess the validity and robustness of the MDEF method based on TDPT.
Hot carriers generated by plasmons: where are they generated and where do they go from there?
A physically transparent unified theory of optically- and plasmon-induced hot carrier generation in metals is developed with all of the relevant mechanisms included.
Tuning the SERS activity and plasmon-driven reduction of p-nitrothiophenol on a Ag@MoS2 film
The thickness and crystallinity of MoS2 in a Ag@MoS2 hybrid film can strongly affect the Raman enhancement and plasmon-driven chemical reactions.
Plasmon-induced optical control over dithionite-mediated chemical redox reactions
Radicals on-demand with plasmon-mediated in situ dissociation of dithionite “fuel”, for optically controlled redox chemistry.
Carrier dynamics and spin–valley–layer effects in bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides
We describe the complex interplay of spin, layer and valley indexing involved in two different stacking orientations of bilayer TMDCs MoS2 and WSe2via an ab initio treatment of electron–electron and electron–phonon interactions.
Enhancing hot electron generation and injection in the near infrared via rational design and controlled synthesis of TiO2–gold nanostructures
We synthesize TiO2-coated gold nanostar- and gold nanorod-based photocatalysts and identify the most important design parameters for the optimization of hot electron-based photocatalysts.
Photocatalytic ammonia production enhanced by a plasmonic near-field and hot electrons originating from aluminium nanostructures
We report on plasmonic near-field and hot electron enhanced ammonia production.
Plasmonic photocatalysis applied to solar fuels
We show the impact of structural, chemical and interfacial features of gold–titania composites on solar and visible photocatalytic gas phase reduction of CO2 and the specificities of the hot electron-based process.
The impact of optically rectified fields on plasmonic electrocatalysis
Optical rectification of plasmon resonances is shown to induce areas of altered surface charge that affect electrochemical reactivity.
Gap-plasmon enhanced water splitting with ultrathin hematite films: the role of plasmonic-based light trapping and hot electrons
We report the enhancement of the plasmon-assisted water oxidation photocurrent in ultrathin (10–20 nm) hematite films.
Dynamics of electron-emission currents in plasmonic gaps induced by strong fields
Using a combination of quantum calculations and classical modelling we study the dynamics of strong-field emission currents in plasmonic gaps.
Optimizing hot carrier effects in Pt-decorated plasmonic heterostructures
Plasmonic heterostructures were designed to optimize hot carrier extraction by controlling nanoparticle surface states.
Direct optical excitation of dark plasmons for hot electron generation
We demonstrate the excitation of dark modes and creation of hot electrons using linearly polarized light and scalable, cost-effective plasmonic surfaces.
Enhanced hot electron generation by inverse metal–oxide interfaces on catalytic nanodiode
Mechanistic understanding of hot electron dynamics at inverse oxide/metal interfaces from a new catalytic nanodiode that exhibits nanoscale metal–oxide interfaces.
The role of a plasmonic substrate on the enhancement and spatial resolution of tip-enhanced Raman scattering
We look to understand the enhancement and spatial resolution of a tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) system containing a metal tip and plasmonic substrate.
Assistance of metal nanoparticles in photocatalysis – nothing more than a classical heat source
We show that the number of high energy non-thermal electrons in a metal under CW illumination is very low but much higher than in thermal equilibrium, implying that faster chemical reactions reported previously are extremely likely to originate from a pure thermal effect.
Out-of-equilibrium electron dynamics of silver driven by ultrafast electromagnetic fields – a novel hydrodynamical approach
We investigate the ultrafast nonlinear response of silver upon excitation by infrared electromagnetic radiation pulses with a duration of a few femtoseconds.
Electron-induced molecular dissociation at a surface leads to reactive collisions at selected impact parameters
A collimated beam of ‘projectiles’ strikes a chemisorbed ‘target’ thereby selecting the impact parameter, achieving an elusive goal of reaction dynamics.
Generation of hot electrons in nanostructures incorporating conventional and unconventional plasmonic materials
The choice of materials for hot electron generation and injection: peak efficiency or broadband.
Impact of chemical interface damping on surface plasmon dephasing
We characterized the change in photon absorption and scattering properties of plasmonic Au nanoparticles by chemical interface damping.
Monitoring plasmonic hot-carrier chemical reactions at the single particle level
Nanoscopic inspection of reactivity in single plasmonic photocatalysts.
Theory of hot electrons: general discussion
Dynamics of hot electron generation in metallic nanostructures: general discussion
New materials for hot electron generation: general discussion
Applications in catalysis, photochemistry, and photodetection: general discussion
About this collection
We are delighted to share with you a selection of the papers which will be presented at our Faraday Discussion on Hot-electron science and microscopic processes in plasmonics and catalysis taking place in London, UK in February 2019. More information about the event may be found here: http://rsc.li/plasmonics-fd2019. Additional articles will be added to the collection as they are published. The final versions of all the articles presented and a record of the live discussions will be published after the event.
Over the last decade, plasmonics research has emerged as an extremely promising technology with potential applications in information technologies, energy, high-density data storage, photovoltaics, chemistry, biology, medicine, security and sensing. Sensing, where the intense nanoscale light fields around metallic nanostructures have been utilized for surface-enhanced spectroscopies of molecules, has received particular attention.
Until quite recently the main research focus has been on the ability of plasmonic nanostructures to generate localized regions of highly concentrated electromagnetic fields. Lately it has been realized that the electron part of plasmonic excitations can also be exploited in the physical and chemical sciences. Proof-of-concept applications have shown fascinating applications in areas such as surface-enhanced catalysis (water splitting), photodetectors without bandgaps (Schottky junctions), and nanoscale control over chemical reactions. Meanwhile, theoretical understanding about the generation, transport and extraction of plasmonic hot carriers has also advanced.
This Faraday Discussion presents an unprecedented opportunity to discuss the most recent breakthroughs in this multidisciplinary and emerging field from the perspectives of physicists, chemists and theoreticians. It will allow connections to be made between sub-disciplines, enabling the most challenging problems for the future to be defined, and providing a point of reference for the future development of plasmonics, catalysis, and hot-electron science more generally.