Plasmonic semiconductors for advanced artificial photosynthesis

Abstract

Plasmonic semiconductors with high free carrier concentration is a class of attractive materials that exhibit metal-like localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for light extinction with tunable features. Their applications in artificial photosynthesis have witnessed considerable advances in terms of the determinants for solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency improvement, including light harvesting, charge dynamics as well as surface photochemistry. In this review, we begin with the fundamental introduction to physical principles and unique characters of LSPR excitation in plasmonic semiconductors. The doping strategies for activating LSPR response and the intrinsic merits in artificial photosynthesis are subsequently summarized in detail. In addition, the remaining challenging and future perspectives are briefly outlooked. We anticipate that this review can provide a tutorial guideline to broaden the horizons for plasmonic semiconductors in the exploration of sustainable plasmon-assisted photochemistry application.