Visible-light photocatalysis using plasmonic coupling effect for optofluidic microreactors

The near-field enhancement of localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the metal nanoparticles can improve the photocatalytic activity of the semiconductor connected to it. The SPR effect of the Au nanoparticles and the coupling effect of the neighboring Au nanoparticles and the gold film improves the visible-light absorption of TiO₂. The simulation result is consistent with the measured absorption spectrum. The photocurrent density of this plasmonic coupling photocatlyst is enhanced significantly compared to the bare TiO₂ under the visible light illumination.