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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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Colloidal Synthesis of Nanopatch Antennas for Applications in Plasmonics and Nanophotonics
Published on: May 28, 2016
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Hot Charge Carrier Transmission from Plasmonic Nanostructures
Phillip Christopher1, Martin Moskovits2
1Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521;
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|March 17, 2017
Summary
Surface plasmons enable photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications by generating hot electrons and holes. Improving device engineering, especially at metal-semiconductor interfaces, is key to overcoming current efficiency limitations.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
Background:
- Surface plasmons are being explored for photovoltaic, photocatalytic, and photodetection applications.
- These applications rely on separating energetic (hot) electrons and holes, similar to semiconductor junctions.
- Current power conversion efficiencies in plasmonic devices are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physics and dynamics of plasmon-derived hot charge carrier transfer.
- To investigate the electronic structure at metal-semiconductor interfaces.
- To identify barriers limiting efficiency and suggest areas for future research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on plasmonics and hot charge carrier transfer.
- Analysis of the physics governing charge carrier dynamics at interfaces.
- Examination of electronic structures at metal-semiconductor and metal-molecule interfaces.
Main Results:
- Plasmon excitation generates high electron/hole per photon quantum efficiencies.
- Efficiency limitations are often linked to charge carrier transfer across interfaces.
- Understanding metal-semiconductor interfaces is critical for device improvement.
Conclusions:
- Further research into hot charge carrier transfer physics is needed.
- Optimizing metal-semiconductor interfaces is crucial for enhancing plasmonic device efficiency.
- Targeted engineering of interfaces offers promising avenues for future advancements.
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