Plasmonic photocatalysis in oxide glasses containing silver nanoparticles

Abstract

This project aims to synthesize oxide glasses containing atoms with recognized photocatalytic activity, such as cerium, bismuth, and titanium. The plasmonic photocatalysis process will be explored via surface plasmon resonance effect (SPR) exhibited by silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) grown on the glass surface substrate through Na+«Ag+ ionic exchange followed by controlled thermal treatment. Due to the strong coordination and affinity between groups containing sulfur and nitrogen atoms (such as cyano and thiol) with Ag, the challenge of this project is on the study and understanding of photocatalysis processes that use the SPR effect from Ag-NPs, along with the glass chemical composition, on degradation of organic molecules anchored to Ag on glass surface. Such degradation will be monitored via SERS spectroscopy by studying the Raman scattering bands of the target molecules at low concentration and belonging to emerging pollutant groups. (AU)