Plasmonics for Energy Generation

Conversion of sunlight to chemical fuels by artificial photosynthesis has been a long-sought goal. The major goal of the proposed effort is to develop a novel fuel-generating (e.g., hydrogen) photolytic device, which consists of a semiconductor nanowire decorated with metal nanoparticles. The project targets a low-cost technology by fabricating and utilizing the nanowire-nanoparticle conjugate devices in the form of a suspension (e.g., in water). The project also aims at high photolytic conversion energy and stability by making use of multifunctional nanostructures with unique plasmonic, photonic, and electronic attributes at the nanoscale. BENEFIT: By 2030, global demand for energy is projected to increase by 50%. There is also growing awareness that the Earth’s oil reserves may run out during the present century. Therefore, an energy shortage is likely to emerge, unless some renewable energy source replaces the fossil fuels in the next few decades. The proposed hydrogen generation technology will be inexpensive, portable and a new source of clean and renewable energy to address the imminent energy needs the world’s population consumes today. From fuel cells to hydrogen cars, the use of hydrogen as a fuel has multitude of applications. The entire effort will have a potential to impact our entire energy infrastructure in a very fundamental way.