Plasmonic Photocatalysis Using Bismuth Nanomaterials

Plasmonic photocatalysis harnesses the ability of light to excite collective oscillations of conduction electrons in metallic nanostructures and generates high-energy charge carriers that can drive chemical transformations at the nanocrystal–solution interface. Bismuth (Bi) nanomaterials have recently emerged as cost-effective alternatives to noble metals, offering tunable plasmonic resonances across the ultraviolet–near-infrared spectrum, adjustable by particle size, shape and composition. When integrated with semiconductor substrates, Bi nanostructures concentrate electromagnetic fields at their surface and inject hot electrons into adjacent conduction bands, thereby promoting redox reactions under visible and near-infrared illumination. Oxygen vacancies and heterojunction engineering further prolong charge-carrier lifetimes and enhance substrate adsorption, yielding high selectivity and quantum efficiency. This rapidly advancing field shows promise for solar-driven CO2 reduction to fuels, environmental purification via organic pollutant degradation and sustainable hydrogen generation from water splitting. The global significance of bismuth-based plasmonic photocatalysts lies in their earth-abundant composition, facile synthesis and scalable fabrication, which align with the urgent need for green energy conversion and environmental remediation technologies.

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Plasmonic Photocatalysis Using Bismuth Nanomaterials publication trend

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Technical terms

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR): Resonant oscillation of free electrons at a metal–dielectric interface under light excitation, producing enhanced electromagnetic fields.

Hot electron: High-energy electron generated by plasmon decay that can transfer into an adjacent semiconductor conduction band to drive redox chemistry.

Heterojunction: Interface between two dissimilar semiconductor materials that facilitates directional separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.

Oxygen vacancy: Point defect in a metal oxide lattice formed by the absence of an oxygen atom, creating electronic states that promote reactant adsorption and charge trapping.

Photogenerated charge carriers: Electrons and holes produced in a semiconductor when photons of sufficient energy promote electrons across the band gap, enabling oxidative and reductive surface reactions.

References

1. Engineering of oxygen vacancy and bismuth cluster assisted ultrathin Bi12O17Cl2 nanosheets with efficient and selective photoreduction of CO2 to CO. Carbon Energy (2023).
2. Nanobismuth: Fabrication, Optical, and Plasmonic Properties—Emerging Applications. Journal of Nanotechnology (2018).
3. The Bi-Modified (BiO)2CO3/TiO2 Heterojunction Enhances the Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics. Catalysts (2025).
4. Engineering Noble Metal-like Bi onto Hierarchical SrWO4 for the Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity. Catalysts (2022).