Surface plasmon-enhanced photochemical reactions

The electromagnetic field enhancement effect based on the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance was developed for various photochemical reaction systems, such as nano-lithography, photovoltaic cells, photocatalysis, and water splitting systems. As with most points characteristic of these surface plasmon-enhanced photochemical reactions, spatially selective photochemical reactions can be induced and photons can be efficiently utilized, a concept that could contribute to the development of green nano-technology. Electromagnetic field enhancement effects based on plasmon excitation have contributed not only to physical processes, such as excitation efficiency, but also to chemical processes, such as photoinduced electron transfer reactions. This review article describes advanced studies on a wide variety of surface plasmon-enhanced photochemical reactions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.