Heterostructure nanocomposite with local surface plasmon resonance effect enhanced photocatalytic activity—a critical review

The unique characteristics of the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect endows heterostructure nanocomposite of noble metal (NM) nanoparticles and semiconducting materials with dramatically enhanced light absorption, charge separation and surface activity. In addition, they boost the development of research in photocatalytic fields including artificial photosynthesis, degradation of pollutants and deactivation of microorganisms. The advantages of using LSPR to improve the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor-based materials as well as the design and synthesis of NM nanoparticles with LSPR for photocatalytic applications have been widely studied in recent years and a great number of research works have been published in these areas. This review will introduce the concept of heterostructure nanocomposite, the basis of LSPR, controlled synthesis and the recent research progress involving applications of LSRP in artificial photosynthesis, degradation of pollutants and deactivation of microorganisms.