Self-Constructed Multiple Plasmonic Hotspots on an Individual Fractal to Amplify Broadband Hot Electron Generation.

ACS Nano
Xi WangHongyan Liang

Abstract

Plasmonic nanoparticles are ideal candidates for hot-electron-assisted applications, but their narrow resonance region and limited hotspot number hindered the energy utilization of broadband solar energy. Inspired by tree branches, we designed and chemically synthesized silver fractals, which enable self-constructed hotspots and multiple plasmonic resonances, extending the broadband generation of hot electrons for better matching with the solar radiation spectrum. We directly revealed the plasmonic origin, the spatial distribution, and the decay dynamics of hot electrons on the single-particle level by using ab initio simulation, dark-field spectroscopy, pump-probe measurements, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Our results show that fractals with acute tips and narrow gaps can support broadband resonances (400-1100 nm) and a large number of randomly distributed hotspots, which can provide unpolarized enhanced near field and promote hot electron generation. As a proof-of-concept, hot-electron-triggered dimerization of p-nitropthiophenol and hydrogen production are investigated under various irradiations, and the promoted hot electron generation on fractals was confirmed with significantly improved efficiency.

References

Apr 28, 2009·Physical Review Letters·A AgrawalZ V Vardeny
Mar 26, 2011·Chemical Reviews·Gregory V Hartland
May 24, 2011·Nature Chemistry·Phillip ChristopherSuljo Linic
Mar 21, 2012·ACS Nano·Miguel Navarro-Cia, Stefan A Maier
Jun 14, 2013·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Hongyan LiangDongling Ma
Dec 21, 2013·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Shaunak MukherjeeNaomi J Halas
Jan 7, 2015·Nature Nanotechnology·Jacob B Khurgin
Jan 7, 2015·Nature Nanotechnology·Mark L BrongersmaPeter Nordlander
Apr 22, 2015·Nature Nanotechnology·Michele CelebranoMarco Finazzi
May 21, 2015·Nature Materials·Suljo LinicMatthew Morabito
Jul 4, 2015·Nature Communications·Wei Xie, Sebastian Schlücker
Jan 23, 2016·Nano Letters·Linan ZhouNaomi J Halas
Dec 15, 2016·Nano Letters·Jieran FangAlexander V Kildishev
Mar 30, 2017·Nature Communications·Emiliano CortésStefan A Maier
Oct 31, 2017·ACS Nano·Edson P BellidoGianluigi A Botton
Aug 1, 2018·Nature Nanotechnology·Xu ShiHiroaki Misawa
Nov 8, 2018·The Analyst·Gregory Q Wallace, François Lagugné-Labarthet
Nov 28, 2018·Nature Communications·Laura ColladoVíctor A de la Peña O'Shea
Dec 24, 2018·Nature Communications·Peng MaoShuang Zhang
Feb 23, 2019·Nano Letters·Evangelina PensaStefan A Maier
Feb 28, 2019·Faraday Discussions·Sabrina SimoncelliEmiliano Cortés
Mar 16, 2019·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Md Masud Parvez ArnobWei-Chuan Shih
Aug 2, 2019·Optics Letters·Hongyan LiangYurui Fang
Aug 21, 2019·Accounts of Chemical Research·Julian GargiuloEmiliano Cortés
Sep 19, 2019·Accounts of Chemical Research·Chao ZhanZhong-Qun Tian
Sep 17, 2020·The Journal of Chemical Physics·Robin SchürmannIlko Bald

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 6, 2021·Nano Letters·Jelena WohlwendRalph Spolenak

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.