Plasmon-induced dynamics of H2 splitting on a silver atomic chain

Abstract

Localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) supported in metal nanostructures can be efficiently harnessed to drive photocatalytic reactions, whose atomic scale mechanism remains a challenge. Here, real-time dynamics of H2 photosplitting on a linear silver atomic chain, upon exposure to femtosecond laser pulses, has been investigated using time-dependent density functional theory. The wavelength dependent H2 splitting process is strongly coupled to LSPR excitation in silver chain. We identify that hot electrons produced in the silver chain by plasmon excitation are transferred to the antibonding state of the adsorbed H2 and trigger H2 dissociation, consistent with experimental observations. Increasing illumination intensity and the length of atomic chain promote H2 splitting, thanks to stronger LSPR. Dynamic electronic response can be quantitatively described within the present approach, providing insights towards a complete fundamental understanding on plasmon-induced chemical reactions at the microscopic scale.