Surface Plasmon Resonance Effect Research Articles

Titanium boride nanosheets with photo-enhanced sonodynamic efficiency for glioblastoma treatment

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has garnered significant attention in cancer treatment, however, the low-yield reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation from sonosensitizers remains a major challenge. In this study, titanium boride nanosheets (TiB2 NSs) with photo-enhanced sonodynamic efficiency was fabricated for SDT of glioblastoma (GBM). Compared with commonly-used TiO2 nanoparticles, the obtained TiB2 NSs exhibited much higher ROS generation efficiency under ultrasound (US) irradiation due to their narrower band gap (2.50 eV). Importantly, TiB2 NSs displayed strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in the second near-infrared (NIR II) window, which facilitated charge transfer rate and improved the separation efficiency of US-triggered electron–hole pairs, leading to photo-enhanced ROS generation efficiency. Furthermore, TiB2 NSs were encapsulated with macrophage cell membranes (CM) and then modified with RGD peptide to construct biomimetic nanoagents (TiB2@CM-RGD) for efficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrating and GBM targeting. After intravenous injection into the tumor-bearing mouse, TiB2@CM-RGD can efficiently cross BBB and accumulate in the tumor sites. The tumor growth was significantly inhibited under simultaneous NIR II laser and US irradiation without causing appreciable long-term toxicity. Our work highlighted a new type of multifunctional titanium-based sonosensitizer with photo-enhanced sonodynamic efficiency for GBM treatment. Statement of significanceTitanium boride nanosheets (TiB2 NSs) with photo-enhanced sonodynamic efficiency was fabricated for SDT of glioblastoma (GBM). The obtained TiB2 NSs displayed strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in the second near-infrared (NIR II) window, which facilitated charge transfer rate and improved the separation efficiency of US-triggered electron-hole pairs, leading to photo-enhanced ROS generation efficiency. Furthermore, TiB2 NSs were encapsulated with macrophage cell membranes (CM) and then modified with RGD peptide to construct biomimetic nanoagents (TiB2@CM-RGD) for efficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrating and GBM targeting. After intravenous injection into the tumor-bearing mouse, TiB2@CM-RGD can efficiently cross BBB and accumulate in the tumor sites. The tumor growth was significantly inhibited under simultaneous NIR II laser and US irradiation without causing appreciable long-term toxicity.

Preparation of C@CuNi/TiO2 with a local surface plasmon resonance for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and antibiotics under visible light irradiation

A composite photocatalyst with carbon-coated CuNi nanoparticles-loaded TiO2 nanotubes (C@CuNi/TiO2) was synthesized via a microwave hydrothermal alkali stripping method combined with subsequent in-situ carbothermal reduction. The structure, morphology, and surface chemical composition were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The findings demonstrate that the microwave hydrothermal alkali peeling enables the formation of a three-dimensional C@CuNi/TiO2 composite structure. The results of transient photocurrent response (i-t) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under visible light demonstrate that C@CuNi/TiO2 exhibits a reduced rate of electron-hole recombination and lower surface resistance compared to C@TiO2, C@Cu/TiO2, and C@Ni/TiO2. After a two-hour exposure to visible light, the composite photocatalyst C@CuNi/TiO2, featuring a molar ratio of 2 % CuNi nanoparticles to TiO2 nanotubes, exhibited remarkable degradation activity towards organic dyes (Rhodamine B (RhB), Methylene Blue (MB), Methyl Orange (MO)), as well as antibiotics (tetracycline (TC) and levofloxacin (LVFX)). After 5 cycles of photocatalytic reaction, the photodegradation activity of RhB remained above 79 %. It is indicated that CuNi nanoparticles effectively trap and enrich photoelectrons through the photoexcitation of TiO2 nanotubes. Additionally, the local surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) effect of CuNi nanoparticles reduces the recombination rate of photogenerated electron/hole and the electron transport resistance in the composite photocatalyst, thereby enhancing its overall photocatalytic activity.

Plasmonic molybdenum carbide MXene nanosheets for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Besides the excellent metallic electrical conductivity, high carrier mobility, and high optical transmittance, the two-dimensional MXenes exhibiting impressive optical and plasmonic properties have been explored to photodiodes. However, their potential use of surface plasmons oscillating in perovskite solar cells has not been studied. Herein, we incorporate, for the first time, Mo2CTx MXene nanosheets with characteristic plasmonic absorption in the whole visible region into the perovskite active layer. First, the presence of Mo2CTx nanosheets in the perovskite film increases the perovskite grain size due to the decreased growth rate and passivation of the defects around the grain boundaries through strong interaction with undercoordinated Pb2+. Furthermore, with the help of the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Mo2CTx nanosheets, the exciton binding energy in the perovskite absorber is reduced, which suggests the efficient exciton dissociation and enhanced charge separation. Consequently, Mo2CTx nanosheets based perovskite solar cell device exhibits a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.05 %. It is worth noting that the unencapsulated devices demonstrate considerably improved stability, maintaining about 89.25 % of the initial PCE after aging in air for 3000 h. This fascinating strategy provides more opportunities of the functional MXene materials for the perovskite optoelectronics.

Novel PtCu/MIL-101(Cr) for efficient degradation of bisphenol A: Photothermal synergism promoted by the localized surface plasmon resonance effect

Semiconductor photocatalysis is one of the most useful methods to solve environmental pollution problems. Herein, nanomaterial PtCu/MIL-101(Cr) was produced by an improved hydrothermal technique. The composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance with 99.7 % BPA degradation under 100 min visible light irradiation. First, the PtCu alloy has the effect of the local surface plasmon resonance effect, which can convert the photons to hot electrons and increase the reaction temperature. The synergistic effect (1+1>2) between photocatalysis and thermocatalysis significantly improved the photocatalytic efficiency. Second, the bimetallic alloying lowered the metals' work function and reduced the Schottky barrier between the PtCu alloy and MIL-101(Cr), which effectively promoted the carrier transfer. The ·O2-, ·OH and h+ were dominant reactive substances in the degradation process. The intermediates and degradation pathways of BPA were analyzed by 3D-EEM. The reaction mechanism was proposed based on theoretical calculations and experimental analysis. This work provides new directions for designing photothermal synergistic green catalysts and purifying the environment.

Excellent piezo-photocatalytic performance of plasmonic Bi/Bi4Ti3O12 heterojunction synthesized by in-situ reduction

Efficient catalytic conversion can be achieved by electro-mechanical coupling and solar energy-induced photogenerated carriers. In this work, an advanced semimetal Bi decorated Bi4Ti3O12 (Bi/BTO) heterojunction catalyst was constructed through in-situ reduction without organic solvent. The piezo-photocatalytic removal toward MB of Bi/BTO catalyst reaches 87.2% within 70 min, and the rate constant is 2.23 and 1.80 times higher than that of piezocatalysis and photocatalysis, respectively. The enhanced performance is attributed to not only surface plasmon resonance effect of Bi nanoparticles that enhances light absorption and accelerates charge separation, but also the piezoelectric effect of Bi4Ti3O12 which strengthens internal electric fields. Moreover, the metal titanium template can be recycled to synthesize Bi/BTO catalyst, thus favouring commercial-scale application. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to design efficient catalyst to utilize natural solar and mechanical energy.

Janus-structured evaporator with multiple optimization strategies for sustainable solar desalination

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) is an environmentally-friendly and sustainable approach to seawater desalination and offers a promising solution for addressing water scarcity challenge. However, the intricate nature of SIE technology as a complex three-phase system calls for more holistic design strategies. Therefore, we present a comprehensive optimization strategy that integrates various design concepts spanning from optical characteristics and thermal localization enhancement to thermal convection intensification. The enhancement of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect is initially demonstrated by uniformly introducing TiN-NH2 nanoparticles onto the SWCNTs-COOH surface, showcasing remarkable absorbance properties (95.49%). Subsequently, the integration of a dual-network hydrogel is utilized to create a Janus architecture, which can enhance the thermal localization effect with an impressive evaporative efficiency of 92.25%. Finally, perforations are introduced to further improve heat convection, resulting in an exceptional evaporation rate of TiN@CNT/GOF-H1 (3.33 kg m−2 h−1, when calculated according to the real area, the evaporation rate value is 3.75 kg m−2 h−1). Both experimental findings and numerical simulations underscores the efficacy of this multiple-optimization engineered design. Experiment conducted within a customized device has substantiated the enduring cyclic stability and pH resistance to variations, potentially facilitating the spread of practical applications. The integration of multiple optimization strategies is expected to provide valuable insights for the holistic performance enhancement of the SIE evaporators.

Mitigating thermal burden and enhancing minor phase emission energy transfer in perovskite by introducing dopamine-mediated silver nanoparticles

Perovskite-based light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) suffer from low wavelength and intensity instability during excited emission. This study incorporates dopamine-mediated silver nanoparticles (DA@AgNPs) into perovskite to enhance the performance of blue-light PeLEDs. Characterization studies highlight the crucial role of dopamine’s hydroxyl group in controlling the size and distribution of AgNPs. Due to the presence of amine group, dopamine acts as a “bridging linker,” facilitating precise integration of AgNPs with perovskite. DA@AgNPs–perovskite comprises a uniform cubic phase, indicating improved crystal quality and fewer defects than in pristine perovskite. DA@AgNPs prevent pinhole-defect-induced heat accumulation, reducing nonradiative energy and Joule heat. Additionally, DA@AgNPs enhance thermal conductivity and thus cooling efficiency. The energy transfer between minor and primary phase emissions is found to be highly efficient and to enhance primary phase emission through the surface plasmon resonance effect of DA@AgNPs. Finally, DA@AgNPs–perovskite is successfully employed in a high-performance blue-light PeLED (wavelength = 476 nm); the device’s external quantum efficiency is 11.2 %, luminance is 380.2 cd/m2, and emission stability is favorable (firmly maintained at 476–478 nm after strong excitation under 4.25 V for 1 h). This work provides insights into one means of improving blue-light PeLEDs, opening avenues for advancements in optoelectronics.

Silk Fabric Functionalized by Nanosilver Enabling the Wearable Sensing for Biomechanics and Biomolecules.

Integrating biomechanical and biomolecular sensing mechanisms into wearable devices is a formidable challenge and key to acquiring personalized health management. To address this, we have developed an innovative multifunctional sensor enabled by plasma functionalized silk fabric, which possesses multimodal sensing capabilities for biomechanics and biomolecules. A seed-mediated in situ growth method was employed to coat silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto silk fibers, resulting in silk fibers functionalized with AgNPs (SFs@Ag) that exhibit both piezoresistive response and localized surface plasmon resonance effects. The SFs@Ag membrane enables accurate detection of mechanical pressure and specific biomolecules during wearable sensing, offering a versatile solution for comprehensive personalized health monitoring. Additionally, a machine learning algorithm has been established to specifically recognize muscle strain signals, potentially extending to the diagnosis and monitoring of neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Unlike electromyography, which detects large muscles in clinical medicine, sensing data for tiny muscles enhance our understanding of muscle coordination using the SFs@Ag sensor. This detection model provides feasibility for the early detection and prevention of neuromuscular diseases. Beyond muscle stress and strain sensing, biomolecular detection is a critical addition to achieving effective health management. In this study, we developed highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection for wearable health monitoring. Finite-difference time-domain numerical simulations ware utilized to analyze the efficacy of the SFs@Ag sensor for wearable SERS sensing of biomolecules. Based on the specific SERS spectra, automatic extraction of signals of sweat molecules was also achieved. In summary, the SFs@Ag sensor bridges the gap between biomechanical and biomolecular sensing in wearable applications, providing significant value for personalized health management.

Synthesis and mechanism of Bi/SnO2 for enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of humic acid under visible light

Humic acid (HA) is a typical refractory organic matter, widely existing in natural water and many types of wastewaters. In this study, Bi/SnO2 composites were synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method for photocatalytic degradation of HA. Due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Bi, the light absorption of Bi/SnO2 composites expands from UV to visible light compared to pure SnO2. Under visible light irradiation for 120 min, the UV254 removal reached 93.58 %, color number (CN) removal reached 94.41 %. The degradation rate constant of Bi/SnO2 (0.0178 min−1) is 14.83 times higher than that of SnO2 (0.0012 min−1), indicating the superior photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Bi/SnO2 composites. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) was found that photocatalysis mainly degraded most CHO-containing organic matter and reduced the amount of organic matter (from 7240 to 3886). The molecular number of organic compounds with m/z of 400–500 and 500–600 exhibited a significant decrease, specifically by 1052 and 770, respectively. This observation suggests that the photocatalytic process effectively eliminates low and moderate molecular weight organics. The molecular number, aromaticity and molecular weight of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were reduced mainly by carboxylic acid reaction, dealkylation reaction and oxygen addition reaction.

Asymmetric and mechanically enhanced MOF derived magnetic carbon-MXene/cellulose nanofiber films for electromagnetic interference shielding and electrothermal/photothermal conversion

The prosperity of wearable and microelectronic devices tremendously facilitates to exploit thin and flexible composite films with multifunction. Free-standing MXene films have aroused considerable interest in the fields of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal management because of brilliant electrical conductivity, distinctive layered architecture and remarkable localized surface plasmon resonance effect. Nevertheless, the inferior mechanical strength and potential performance degradation in humid environments seriously constrain their practical applications. In this regard, robust and multifunctional CoNi-MOF-74 derived magnetic carbon/cellulose nanofibers (CNF)-MXene/CNF composite films with Janus architecture were successfully constructed via two-step vacuum-assisted filtration technology. The rational arrangement of functional fillers effectively improves the impedance matching, promoting the incident electromagnetic waves to enter the films for consumption. Constructing double-layered structure could induce the generation of “absorption-reflection-reabsorption” dissipation manner, dramatically enhancing EMI shielding performance. The bi-layered magnetic carbon/CNF-MXene/CNF composite membranes (0.1 mm in thickness) realize a fascinating EMI shielding effectiveness of 68.86 dB and a superior absorption efficiency of 58.82 dB. Meanwhile, the brilliant conductivity and significant localized surface plasmon resonance effect of MXene/CNF layer endow the composite films with excellent electrothermal/photothermal conversion capability, greatly broadening application prospects. The steady temperature of the composite films is as high as 112.9 °C within 10 s under the low driven voltage of 3.0 V and the saturation temperature reaches up to 154.2 °C within 15 s at the light intensity of 1500 W/m2, respectively. Moreover, the plentiful hydrogen bonding interaction and compact interfacial combination jointly enable the composite films to possess robust mechanical flexibility, satisfying the demands in practice. This work supplies a prospective guidance for preparing flexible and multifunctional composite films with Janus architecture, revealing great application potential in wearable and microelectronic devices even under harsh conditions.

Optical and structural transformations in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films subjected to Ag[formula omitted]-ion implantation and subsequent Au[formula omitted]-ion irradiation

We report on the dual effects of ion implantation and swift heavy ion on the optical and structural characteristics of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR and X-ray diffraction measurements. Samples were first implanted with 150 keV Ag+-ions at different fluences of 1 ×1016, 5 ×1016, and 1 ×1017 ions/cm2, and thereafter irradiated with 30 MeV Au7+-ions at different fluences, while analysing elemental depth profile in situ on the Time of Flight Heavy Ions Elastic Recoil Detection (ToF-Hi-ERDA) instrument. The elemental depth profile measurements showed considerable atomic depletion of hydrogen from 36% down to below 6% and oxygen from 18% to about 5%. The proportion of carbon increased from 45% to over 87%. The optical bandgap decreased with increasing ion implantation fluence and reduced even further on irradiation with 30 MeV 197Au7+-ions. The most notable outcome of the implantation was the onset of the precipitation of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) in the PET matrix, marked by Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance effects, coincided with a relatively significant drop in the bandgap energy. This latter effect could only be best explained as the result of these Au-NPs in the PET. This suggests that optical bandgap tuning in polymer films, usually achievable through high fluence implantation at low energy (i.e., keV), could also be realized through low fluence irradiation with MeV energy ions. It is surmised that, for the noble metals, NP-induced bandgap modification in PET precludes the need for high fluence to achieve the same. This has the obvious advantage of bandgap alterations at much lower structural damage to the target polymer. As reported by FTIR results, one can observe structural changes with the formation of new chemical bonds on thin films. X-ray diffraction results exhibited one prominent peak corresponding to the (100) plane, which varies in intensity with increased implantation fluence, suggesting a change in the crystallinity of the PET. The decrease in (100) peak or crystallinity was well connected with the presence and decrease of 847, 970, and 1471 cm−1 peaks, which were assigned to the ethylene glycol molecular groups.

Dual LSPR and CT synergy: 3D urchin-like Au@W18O49 enables highly sensitive in-situ SERS detection of dissolved furfural in insulating oils

Assessing the levels of furfural in insulating oils is a crucial technical method for evaluating the degree of aging and mechanical deterioration of oil-paper insulation. The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique provides an effective method for enhancing the sensitivity of in-situ detection of furfural. In this study, a homogeneous three-dimensional (3D) urchin-like Au@W18O49 heterostructure was synthesized as a SERS substrate using a straightforward hydrothermal method. The origin of the superior Raman enhancement properties of the 3D urchin-like heterostructures formed by the noble metal Au and the plasmonic semiconductor W18O49, which is rich in oxygen vacancies, is analyzed experimentally in conjunction with density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. The Raman enhancement is further amplified by the remarkable dual localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, which generates a strong local electric field and creates numerous "hot spots," in addition to the interfacial charge transport (CT). The synergistic effect of these factors results in the 3D urchin-like Au@W18O49 heterostructure exhibiting exceptionally high SERS activity. Testing the rhodamine 6G (R6G) probe resulted in a Raman enhancement factor of 3.41 × 10−8, and the substrate demonstrated excellent homogeneity and stability. Furthermore, the substrate was effectively utilized to achieve highly sensitive in-situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of dissolved furfural in complex plant insulating oils. The development of the 3D urchin-like Au@W18O49 heterostructure and the exploration of its enhancement mechanism provide theoretical insights for the advancement of high-performance SERS substrates.

Surface plasmon resonance effect cooperated with Z-scheme heterostructure for enhancing photocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia

The photocatalytic efficiency can be improved by constructing a Z-scheme heterojunction, but hindered by the only half utilization efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Thus, a novel material, UiO-66-NH2@TAPB-BTCA-COP-Ag (U6N@COP-Ag), with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect synergistic Z-scheme heterostructure has been prepared by depositing Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on TAPB-BTCA-COP (COP)-coated UiO-66-NH2. The deposited Ag NPs expand the range of light absorption and introduce more photogenerated electrons in the composite. The SPR effect of noble metal compensates for the limited utilization of the Z-scheme heterojunction photogenerated carriers and the increased density of semiconductor carriers at the reducing end, which is more conducive to the redox reaction of the catalyst. Without sacrificial agents, U6N@COP-Ag shows great photocatalytic nitrogen reduction conversion efficiency with the rate of NH4+ in ammonia water at 167.63μmol g-1h−1, which is 6.6 and 2.8 times that of the original UiO-66-NH2 and COP, respectively. In-situ XPS and Kelvin probe technology verify that UiO-66-NH2 and Ag nanoparticles provide more photogenerated electrons to COP. The cleavage and conversion of N2 to NH4+ on U6N@COP-Ag was confirmed by the enhancement of NH bonds and NH4+ characteristic absorption peaks in the in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in-situ DRIFTS). This work presents a great method to improve the Z-scheme heterojunction photogenerated carrier utilization and the density of semiconductor carriers at the reducing end by the noble metal SPR effect, which is more conducive to enhance the redox reaction of the catalyst.

Cascaded dual-parameter SPR fiber sensor for RI and pH simultaneous detection based on Ag film and an Ag/self-assembled nanofilm structure

To achieve more accurate analysis and detection of changes in liquid parameters, we propose a dual-parameter surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor that can measure refractive index (RI) and pH simultaneously. In this paper, we compare and analyze the transmission spectrum when the SPR effect is excited by the cladding mode of a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and the core mode of the no-core fiber. The results show that the SPR effect excited using the cladding mode is stronger and the sensor has better loss peaks, which is more conducive to realizing the detection of the external environment. Therefore, the sensor uses PCF as the substrate and utilizes a cascade composite film structure, and the area where a silver film is deposited on the surface of the PCF is selected as the RI sensing area. Another part of the PCF, after the silver film is deposited, uses a high-sensitivity polyacrylic acid/chitosan self-assembled nanofilm as the pH-sensitive film. Experimental results show that the maximum sensitivity is 4122.44 nm/RIU and -57.82 nm/pH when the RI range is between 1.333 and 1.385 and the pH range is between 3.11 and 8.63, respectively. In addition, we experimentally verified that the sensor had good stability and repeatability. The design of the sensor provides new possibilities for real-time monitoring and precise control, helping to advance scientific research and the development of industry.

MoⅣ boosted carrier density of MoO3-X for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Molybdenum oxides (MoO3-X) with the same surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect as Au/Ag, and occupies an irreplaceable value in SERS detections. MoO3-X SERS substrates with oxygen-rich defects tend to show better SERS performance, but the preparation and characterization of tunable O defects remain challenging. It cannot be ignored that the oxidation state of metal cations is also influenced by O defects. Here, a series of MoO3-X SERS sensors with regulable Mo valence state were fabricated using magnetron sputtering technology. By changing the Mo sputtering power and the O2/Ar2 ratio, the Mo/O element ratio of the substrate can be easily regulated to readjust the O defects. The X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectra were performed to investigate the change and related relationship between Mo mixed valence state and SERS sensitivity. The abundant incompletely coordinated electrons produced by low valence MoⅣ act as free carriers, increasing the free carrier density of MoO3-X substrates, which is beneficial for the SERS effect. It has also been proven by Hall effect measurement. The SERS measurement shows that the enhancement factor (EF) reached 3.70 × 105, which is exceedingly close to Au/Ag. The MoO2.5 substrate also exhibited a repeatable and consistent response, high stability, and repeatability, which proves the splendid application potential in complex environments.

Preparation of Bi@Ho3+:TiO2/Composite Fiber Photocatalytic Materials and Hydrogen Production via Visible Light Decomposition of Water

Using electrospun nanofibers doped with TiO2 and rare-earth ion Ho3+ as the matrix, and sodium gluconate as the reducing agent, Bi(NO3)3 was reduced using hydrothermal technology to produce Bi@Ho3+:TiO2 composite fiber materials. The materials’ phase, morphology, and photoelectric properties were characterized using various analytical testing methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and transient photocurrent (IP). During the hydrothermal process, it was confirmed that Bi3+ was reduced by sodium gluconate to form pure Bi nanoparticles, which combined with Ho3+:TiO2 nanofibers to form heterojunctions. By leveraging the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of metallic Bi and the abundant energy level structure and 4f electron transition properties of rare-earth Ho3+, the TiO2 nanofibers underwent dual modification, effectively enhancing the photocatalytic activity and stability of TiO2. Under visible light irradiation, the rate of hydrogen production through water decomposition reached 43.6 μmol·g−1·h−1.

Plasmonic‐Promoted Interatomic Hot Carriers Regulation Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction

Utilizing hot carriers for efficient plasmonic‐mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) to convert solar energy into secondary energy is one of the most feasible solutions to the global environmental and energy crisis. Finding a plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructure with a more efficient and reasonable hot carrier transport path without affecting the intrinsic plasmonic properties is still a major challenge that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Herein, the mechanism by which plasmonic‐promoted interatomic hot electron redistribution on the surface of Au3Cu alloy nanoparticles promotes the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) is successfully clarified. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect can boost the transfer of plasmonic hot electrons from Au atoms to Cu atoms, trigger the interatomic electron regulation of Au3Cu alloy nanoparticles, enhance the desorption of ammonia molecules, and increase the ammonia yield by approximately 93.9%. This work provides an important reference for rationally designing and utilizing the LSPR effect to efficiently regulate the distribution and mechanism of plasmonic hot carriers on the surface of heterogeneous alloy nanostructures.

Plasmonic perovskite photodetector with high photocurrent and low dark current mediated by Au NR/PEIE hybrid layer

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite photodetectors have gained significant attention due to their superior potential for optoelectronic applications, offering various advantages such as low-cost processing, high charge carrier mobility, and lightweight properties. However, these perovskite photodetectors exhibit relatively low absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) range, which limits their potential applications. Here, to address this challenge, the integration of gold nanorods (Au NR) utilizing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects in the NIR range has been developed, leading to enhanced light absorption in the active region and higher photocurrent generation. Additionally, ∼7.9 nm of thin polyethyleneimine ethoxylated (PEIE) interlayers were incorporated into the Au NR photodetectors, suppressing dark current by blocking charge injection. As a result, the synergistic effect of the Au NR/PEIE hybrid layer has led to a high-performance photodetector with a responsivity of 0.360 A/W and a detectivity of 1.81 × 1010 Jones, demonstrating a noticeable enhancement compared to the control device. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, morphological characterizations, and photoluminescence studies further support the mechanism for enhancing the performance of the device. We believe that our plasmon-enhanced protocol holds strong potential as a promising platform for perovskite optoelectronic devices.

Plasmon-Promoted Interatomic Hot Carriers Regulation Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction.

Utilizing hot carriers for efficient plasmon-mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) to convert solar energy into secondary energy is one of the most feasible solutions to the global environmental and energy crisis. Finding a plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructure with a more efficient and reasonable hot carrier transport path without affecting the intrinsic plasmonic properties is still a major challenge that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Herein, the mechanism by which plasmon-promoted interatomic hot electron redistribution on the surface of Au3Cu alloy nanoparticles promotes the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) is successfully clarified. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect can boost the transfer of plasmon hot electrons from Au atoms to Cu atoms, trigger the interatomic electron regulation of Au3Cu alloy nanoparticles, enhance the desorption of ammonia molecules, and increase the ammonia yield by approximately 93.9 %. This work provides an important reference for rationally designing and utilizing the LSPR effect to efficiently regulate the distribution and mechanism of plasmon hot carriers on the surface of heterogeneous alloy nanostructures.

Cascade amplification-based triple probe biosensor for high-precision DNA hybridization detection of lung cancer gene

As an essential biomarker for diagnosing and treating various diseases, low-cost, quantitative detection methods for complementary DNA (cDNA) have received much attention. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing technique is an effective measurement scheme, but the ambient temperature and pH variations have a non-negligible impact. In this work, we developed a triple-probe SPR sensing system for detecting cDNA concentration, temperature, and pH. In order to satisfy the triple parameter measurements, we used a microstructured optical fiber as the sensing platform, silver and gold films as the excitation layer, and a MoS2 film as the modulation layer. First, we explore the modulation mechanism of SPR and the conditions for excitation of triple SPR and demonstrate that the carrier concentration is a crucial factor affecting the resonance wavelength. Then, the feasibility of the sensing system for triple-probing is theoretically analyzed. Finally, in the experiment, the optimal parameters of the sensor were determined, and the triple parameter detection was successfully realized. The experimental results show that the three probes can work independently, and the hybridized DNA probe can realize the selective detection of cDNA with a sensitivity of 0.249 nm/(nmol/l). The maximum sensitivity of the pH probe and the temperature probe are 51.5 nm/pH and 6.14 nm/°C. In addition, the experimental results show that the sensing probes have excellent reproducibility. This paper’s innovation is using the fiber optic SPR effect to achieve quantitative detection for cDNA, temperature detection, and pH detection. Therefore, the sensor has a promising future in early diagnosis and biosensing.