Mechanistic Study of Plasmon Driven Surface Chemistry and Quantum Plasmonics
Abstract
The goal of this research proposal is to investigate the mechanism of plasmon driven surface photochemistry and related quantum plasmonic effects such as electron tunneling that can be facilitated by conductivity of molecules bridging plasmonic surfaces. The proposed research utilizes plasmonic and catalytic properties of metal nanoparticle as a unique platform for improving our understanding of surface chemistry because the concentrated local field of surface plasmons can drive photochemical reactions and simultaneously enhances spectroscopic signals dramatically providing operando spectroscopy to monitor surface reactions in-situ. The specific objectives of the proposed research include investigations of: (1) Plasmon-molecule energy transfer: While discussion of plasmon damping due to electron transfer is available in literatures, the effect of plasmon energy transfer to adsorbed molecules is lacking. In this work, we aim to develop simple methodology that allows us to directly relate plasmon damping to adsorbate electronic absorption band, which is critically important for mechanistic studies. (2) Light-induced surface-molecule interactions, electron transfer and photochemical reactions: A number of key experiments will be performed to achieve this objective including controlling electron transfer and reactivity; correlating electronic excitation of adsorbates and photochemical reactions; identifying photochemical reaction products using isotopic substitution; and probing vibrational excited state population. (3) Molecular conductance and quantum plasmonics: The mediation of interparticle electron tunneling by bridging molecules will be investigated systematically by taking advantage of dipole-image dipole optical interaction that is created when plasmonic nanoparticles are excited on metal film.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810512
Entities
People
- Terefe G Habteyes
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of New Mexico