Plasmonic\nNanochemistry Based on Nanohole Array

Abstract

We\nshow that the growth of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) follows the areas\nof maximum plasmonic field in nanohole arrays (NAs). We thus obtain\nAg NP rings not connected to the metallic rim of the nanoholes. The\nphotocatalytic effect resulting from the enhanced <i>E</i>-field of NAs boosts the reaction and is responsible for the site\nselectivity. The strategy, using plasmonics to control a chemical\nreaction, can be expanded to organic reactions, for example, synthesis\nof polypyrrole. After the NA film is removed, ordered ring-shaped\nAg NPs are easily obtained, inspiring a facile micropatterning method.\nOverall, the results reported in this work will contribute to the\ncontrol of chemical reactions at the nanoscale and are promising to\ninspire a facile way to pursue patterned chemical reactions.