U76: Plasmon Induced Thermochemical Reduction of Metal Oxides

A method to reduce metal oxides using plasmon induced thermochemical reactions. Plasmonics a phenomena of the interaction of electromagnetic wave with free electrons which results in resonances, and the electron resonance energy can transform into heat. This method utilizes the heat generated by the plasmon resonances to break chemical bonds (chemical reactions). The method includes the preparation of plasmonics sensitizer. The metal oxide and plasmonics sensitizer are mixed and forms a film. The film is exposed to a light source with frequency capable of producing the plasmonics resonances, particularly, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) which produces the near-field enhancements. The plasmonics sensitizer absorbs the incident light and this causes the free electrons to vibrate forming LSPR or other forms of plasmonic resonances. The plasmonic resonances can transfer energy to cause localized heating capable of reaching temperature of 1200 oC or higher. This provides the thermal energy for chemical reactions, example in the reduction of metal oxide to metal by breaking the metal-oxygen bonding.