Metal oxide nanocomposites with plasmonic nanoparticles for photocatalysts and gas sensors
S.S. Nalimova1, Z.V. Shomakhov2
1 Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI»
2 Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov
DOI: 10.26456/pcascnn/2025.17.696
Review
Abstract: The increased absorption of light by metal oxide materials modified with plasmonic nanoparticles in the visible range makes them excellent candidates for use in photocatalysts and light activated gas sensors. The photocatalytic properties of these nanocomposite materials are studied. The main results of research on the decomposition of various organic dyes using these catalysts are analyzed. The effect of metallic nanoparticles on photocatalytic properties is explained by the formation of a Schottky barrier, as well as the effect of localized surface plasmon resonance (LPPR). The Schottky barrier at the metal-oxide interface efficiently separates and transfers charge carriers through an internal electric field, leading to an increase in photodegradation efficiency. This is achieved by separating electron-hole pairs and reducing the rate of charge carrier recombination. Due to the LPPR, the absorption of light increases, which leads to an increase in the generation of active charge carriers. Various authors have studied the response of composite structures composed of metal oxides and plasmonic nanoparticles to oxidizing and reducing gases under different experimental conditions, and their results have been summarized. The main reason for this increased response is an increase in the concentration of adsorbed oxygen ions due to transfer of photogenerated in plasmonic nanoparticles electrons. Mechanisms of the influence of the surface plasmon resonance effect on the properties of chemical gas sensors and photocatalysts involves the formation of a Schottky barrier when a noble metal contacts a semiconductor, the direct transfer of electrons, a local amplification of the electric field, and the transfer of the plasmon resonance energy.
Keywords: nanoparticles, metal oxide, photocatalysts, gas sensors, localized surface plasmon resonance
- Svetlana S. Nalimova – Ph. D., Docent, Micro- and Nanoelectronics Department, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI»
- Zamir V. Shomakhov – Ph. D., Director of the Institute of electronics, robotics and artificial intelligence, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov
For citation:
Nalimova S.S., Shomakhov Z.V. Nanokompozity oksidov metallov s plazmonnymi nanochastitsami dlya fotokatalizatorov i gazovykh sensorov [Metal oxide nanocomposites with plasmonic nanoparticles for photocatalysts and gas sensors], Fiziko-khimicheskie aspekty izucheniya klasterov, nanostruktur i nanomaterialov [Physical and chemical aspects of the study of clusters, nanostructures and nanomaterials], 2025, issue 17, pp. 696-711. DOI: 10.26456/pcascnn/2025.17.696. ⎘
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