Group 4 Transition Metal Nitride Nanoparticles for Visible/Near-IR Plasmonic Applications

We present a comprehensive computational study on plasmonic properties of group 4 transition metal nitride (TMN) nanoparticles. We compare the performance of TMN nanoparticles with gold for various plasmonic applications including narrowband and broadband photothermal-based uses. Furthermore, we investigate the role of size, host medium, and particle surface characteristics on the plasmonic response of TMN nanoparticles in detail. Our results reveal the potential of ceramic nanoparticles as alternative materials for noble metals for applications in visible and near infrared region.