Abstract: A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A thermoplasmonic device includes a titanium film and a plurality of titanium nitride tube elements disposed on the titanium film. Each of the titanium nitride tube elements includes an open top and a titanium nitride bottom. Each of the titanium nitride tube elements has titanium nitride tubular middle portion that extends from the open top to the titanium nitride bottom.

Abstract: A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A thermoplasmonic device includes a titanium film and a plurality of titanium nitride tube elements disposed on the titanium film. Each of the titanium nitride tube elements includes an open top and a titanium nitride bottom. Each of the titanium nitride tube elements has titanium nitride tubular middle portion that extends from the open top to the titanium nitride bottom.

Abstract: A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.

Abstract: Titanium nitride (TiN) nanofurnaces are fabricated in a method that involves anodization of a titanium (Ti) foil to form TiO2 nanocavities. After anodization, the TiO2 nanocavities are converted to TiN at 600° C. under ammonia flow. The resulting structure is an array of refractory (high-temperature stable) subwavelength TiN cylindrical cavities that operate as plasmonic nanofurnaces capable of reaching temperatures above 600° C. under moderate concentrated solar irradiation. The nanofurnaces show near-unity solar absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges and a maximum thermoplasmonic solar-to-heat conversion efficiency of 68 percent.

Abstract: Titanium nitride (TiN) nanofurnaces are fabricated in a method that involves anodization of a titanium (Ti) foil to form TiO2 nanocavities. After anodization, the TiO2 nanocavities are converted to TiN at 600° C. under ammonia flow. The resulting structure is an array of refractory (high-temperature stable) subwavelength TiN cylindrical cavities that operate as plasmonic nanofurnaces capable of reaching temperatures above 600° C. under moderate concentrated solar irradiation. The nanofurnaces show near-unity solar absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges and a maximum thermoplasmonic solar-to-heat conversion efficiency of 68 percent.

Abstract: A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.