Resonance Energy Transfer Mediated by Metal-Dielectric Composite Nanostructures

<p>Nanostructure-mediated energy transfer has attracted considerable attention</p> <p>as a template for photocatalysis and solar energy conversion, and the use</p> <p>of noble metal nanoparticles that support localized surface plasmon</p> <p>resonances (LSPRs) has been widely explored as a medium for realizing</p> <p>this paradigm. On the other hand, composite nanoparticles (CNPs)</p> <p>comprised of a large dielectric bead and smaller metal nanostructures have</p> <p>been shown to achieve efficient energy transfer to small-molecule</p> <p>adsorbates through the interplay between dielectric scattering resonances</p> <p>and the broad-band absorption associated with the metal nanostructure.</p> <p>This scattering mediated absorption can enable selective photochemistry</p> <p>without relying on the plasmonic properties of noble metal nanoparticles.</p> <p>While the precise photochemical mechanisms themselves remain unknown,</p> <p>resonance energy transfer (RET) is one feasible route for initiating the</p> <p>photochemistry. We demonstrate computationally that CNPs indeed</p> <p>facilitate RET to small-molecule adsorbates and that CNPs offer a</p> <p>framework in which one can design RET donors that outperform typical</p> <p>plasmonic nanoparticles employed within LSPR-driven RET under comparable</p> <p>illumination conditions. We also exploit the tunability of the resonances</p> <p>on the CNPs to realize strong coupling between the CNP and LSPR modes.