Recent Progress in Plasmonic Nanomaterials and Their Physicochemical Applications

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is a phenomenon that is unique to plasmonic nanomaterials and has been the subject of considerable scientific interest due to the material's optical, electronic, thermal and physicochemical properties. In particular these nanostructures are characterized by exciting interactions with electromagnetic radiation, which allows for a wide range of applications in the field of sensing, catalysis, biomedicine, environmental treatment, and solar energy conversion. The synthesis techniques have advanced significantly in recent years which has resulted in better control over the size, morphology, composition, and surface functionalization of the nanoparticles, and in more stable and tunable plasmonic properties. Moreover, application of plasmonic nanomaterials with semiconductors, polymers, and hybrid nanostructures have provided the enhanced photocatalytic activity, photothermal conversion, and biosensing sensitivity. In the biomedical field, plasmonic nanoparticles have proven to play a promising role in targeted drug delivery, cancer photothermal therapy, molecular imaging and diagnostic biosensors. Moreover, their physicochemical properties are helpful for the charge transfer process, hot electron generation and better catalytic reaction process in environmental and energy-related technologies. Nevertheless, issues concerning toxicity, large-scale fabrication, reproducibility, and long term stability are still major concerns to address for practical and clinical implementation. The present review emphasizes the recent advances on plasmonic nanomaterials with respect to their physicochemical properties, synthesis methods and novel multifunctional applications in diverse fields of science and technology.