Engineering the Internal Structure of Hollow Nanostructures for Enhanced Plasmonic Properties
Shikuan Shao, Xiaohu Xia
Abstract
Plasmonic nanostructures with hollow interiors have emerged as a class of multifunctional materials for many applications owing to their superior plasmonic activities relative to their solid counterparts. Besides outer surfaces, hollow nanostructures also have inner surfaces, which facilitate the control of internal structures. In this Perspective, we discuss recent progress in engineering the internal structure of hollow nanostructures for enhanced plasmonic properties. We start with a brief introduction to the synthetic methods that can effectively control the internal structure of hollow nanostructures. We then elaborate on the impact of each parameter of internal structure on plasmonic properties, where how to rationally design and experimentally control these parameters is also discussed. Afterward, we highlight the applications of plasmonic hollow nanostructures with well-controlled internal structures in biosensing and photocatalysis. Lastly, we conclude this Perspective with the challenges and opportunities in this emerging field.