Plasmonic metal/semiconductor hybrid nanomaterials for solar to chemical energy conversion

Plasmonic nanomaterials are sources of light, heat and electrons at nanometer scale. Given the outstanding performance in harvesting and converting solar energy under visible light irradiation, hybrid nanomaterials with plasmonic activity have recently emerged as a new class of advanced photocatalysts. Because of the enhanced charge-separation at hybrid interfaces, the hybrids usually exhibit higher catalytic activity compared with their monometallic counterparts. Here, we review the recent progress on synthesis of plasmonic hybrid nanomaterials and their applications in photocatalysis, including H-2 production, CO2 reduction and N-2 fixation. We hope this review will give systematic and valuable reference on plasmonic solar to chemical energy conversion. (C) 2021 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Hybrid plasmonic nanomaterials exhibit high catalytic activity in photocatalysis, with enhanced charge separation at hybrid interfaces. Recent research has focused on synthesizing these materials and their applications, particularly in H-2 production, CO2 reduction, and N-2 fixation.