Plasmonics of non-noble metals

TL;DR

This review explores the plasmonic properties of various non-noble metals, highlighting their potential advantages and applications in nanostructures where noble metals are less suitable.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of localized surface plasmons in non-noble metal nanoparticles, comparing their properties to noble metals and discussing potential applications.

Findings

Non-noble metals exhibit unique plasmonic properties.

Certain non-noble metals are advantageous for specific applications.

The review highlights potential of non-noble metals in plasmonics.

Abstract

Localized surface plasmon resonances are self-sustained, collective oscillations of free electrons in metallic nanostructures. They have a wide range of applications. The most common plasmonic metals are noble metals, such as gold and silver. However, there are applications, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, in which using non-noble metals is advantageous. This review summarizes the investigation of localized surface plasmons in non-noble metal nanoparticles, providing an overview of the plasmonic properties of non-noble metals. We cover the following metals: aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), gallium (Ga), indium (In), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), potassium (K), selenium (Se), sodium (Na), tellurium (Te), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and zinc (Zn). Our summary therefore compares the plasmonic properties of non-noble metals and briefly introduces their potential to the readers.