The Polarization Effect in Surface‐Plasmon‐Induced Photocatalysis on Au/TiO₂ Nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract Controlling the interaction of polarization light with an asymmetric nanostructure such as a metal/semiconductor heterostructure provides opportunities for tuning surface plasmon excitation and near‐field spatial distribution. However, light polarization effects on interfacial charge transport and the photocatalysis of plasmonic metal/semiconductor photocatalysts are unclear. Herein, we reveal the polarization dependence of plasmonic charge separation and spatial distribution in Au/TiO 2 nanoparticles under 45° incident light illumination at the single‐particle level using a combination of photon‐irradiated Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and electromagnetic field simulation. We quantitatively uncover the relationship between the local charge density and polarization angle by investigating the polarization‐dependent surface photovoltage (SPV). The plasmon‐induced photocatalytic activity is enhanced when the polarization direction is perpendicular to the Au/TiO 2 interface.