Plasmonics-Enhanced Photocatalysis for Water Decontamination

Technical Report · Thu Oct 31 04:00:00 EDT 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1573141· OSTI ID:1573141

Chang, Allan ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

We have successfully shown up to 5x enhancement in reaction rate of photocatalytic decomposition of an organic chemical (methyl orange) dissolved in water, by incorporating a layer of aluminum (Al) plasmonic nanostructures on top of a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin film photocatalyst. The whole sample is immersed in the solution and illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light. The plasmonics-induced electromagnetic field enhancement drastically increases photo-absorption and electron-hole pair generation at the catalyst surface, thereby enhancing the redox reactions at the catalyst-water interface that break the dissolved organics into non-toxic by-products such as carbon dioxide (CO₂). Our results demonstrate that it is indeed feasible to use plasmonics to enhance photochemical reactions. With further optimized plasmonics design and improved fabrication methodology, simulation results suggest rate enhancement factor of over 20x is possible.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1573141
• Report Number(s): LLNL--TR-795755; 997123
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY