Molecule–Metal Nanostructure Interactions in Plasmonic Chemistry
6 affiliations
- 1Institute of Physics and Astronomy
- 2University of Potsdam
- 3Institute of Chemistry
- 4für Materialien und Energie GmbH
- 5Dynamics of Molecules and Clusters Department
- 6J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the CAS
Abstract
Plasmonic chemistry converts metal nanostructures into photocatalysts via three interconnected channels at the molecule–metal interface: enhanced near fields, non-equilibrium charge carriers, and localized heat. This review focuses on this interfacial perspective. We show how adsorbates and ligands do more than just stick to nanoparticles – they reduce plasmon lifetimes, change work functions, modify the density of states, and impact the energy and charge flow during various physical processes. Ultrafast thermalization under pulsed excitation and steady state conditions under continuous illumination open up different pathways for chemical reactions. Although the plasmonic metal is crucial, surface-bound molecules actively participate by scavenging charge carriers, affecting selectivity and stability, and even undergoing chemical transformations. These aspects are crucial for controlling product distributions and enabling novel chemical pathways by exploiting excited-state pathways inaccessible through thermal energy. Together with the nanoscale properties of plasmonic nanostructures, chemical reactions can be confined to nanoscale hot spots shaped by geometry and polarization. These insights inform the development of practical design principles for antenna–reactor hybrids and novel plasmonic materials in which absorption, carrier localization, and interfacial alignment are precisely engineered. Finally, we identify key open questions and the need for operando interfacial techniques to transform these insights into practical tools for selective, solar-driven synthesis.
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BibTeX
@misc{junior2026moleculemetal,
title = {{Molecule–Metal Nanostructure Interactions in Plasmonic Chemistry}},
author = {Sergio Kogikoski Junior and Wouter Koopman and Felix Stete and Radwan M. Sarhan and Shashank K.Gahlaut and Evgenii Titov and Matias Bargheer and Ilko Bald},
howpublished = {ChemRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.26434/chemrxiv.15002323/v2},
url = {https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15002323/v2},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Molecule–Metal Nanostructure Interactions in Plasmonic Chemistry
AU - Sergio Kogikoski Junior
AU - Wouter Koopman
AU - Felix Stete
AU - Radwan M. Sarhan
AU - Shashank K.Gahlaut
AU - Evgenii Titov
AU - Matias Bargheer
AU - Ilko Bald
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
PB - ChemRxiv
DO - 10.26434/chemrxiv.15002323/v2
UR - https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15002323/v2
AB - Plasmonic chemistry converts metal nanostructures into photocatalysts via three interconnected channels at the molecule–metal interface: enhanced near fields, non-equilibrium charge carriers, and localized heat. This review focuses on this interfacial perspective. We show how adsorbates and ligands do more than just stick to nanoparticles – they reduce plasmon lifetimes, change work functions, modify the density of states, and impact the energy and charge flow during various physical processes. Ultrafast thermalization under pulsed excitation and steady state conditions under continuous illumination open up different pathways for chemical reactions. Although the plasmonic metal is crucial, surface-bound molecules actively participate by scavenging charge carriers, affecting selectivity and stability, and even undergoing chemical transformations. These aspects are crucial for controlling product distributions and enabling novel chemical pathways by exploiting excited-state pathways inaccessible through thermal energy. Together with the nanoscale properties of plasmonic nanostructures, chemical reactions can be confined to nanoscale hot spots shaped by geometry and polarization. These insights inform the development of practical design principles for antenna–reactor hybrids and novel plasmonic materials in which absorption, carrier localization, and interfacial alignment are precisely engineered. Finally, we identify key open questions and the need for operando interfacial techniques to transform these insights into practical tools for selective, solar-driven synthesis.
ER -