Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The search for plasmonic materials that combine strong light-matter interactions with stability under demanding operating conditions has driven growing interest in transition metal nitrides and carbides. These refractory materials offer tunable optical properties, thermal and chemical stability, and diverse electronic structures that distinguish them from conventional noble-metal plasmonic materials. This Review examines the development of refractory plasmonic materials from their fundamental photophysical properties and synthesis to their use in water-energy systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and solar-driven chemical transformations. Attention is given to how composition, stoichiometry, particle morphology, and surface chemistry influence localized surface plasmon resonance, hot-carrier dynamics, and photothermal conversion. We critically assess the sustainability of refractory plasmonics beyond noble-metal replacement, considering resource availability and criticality, synthesis and processing requirements, material complexity, and functional lifetime. Finally, we outline key challenges and emerging opportunities in positioning refractory plasmonic materials as the cornerstone of a sustainable economy.
Source: ChemRxiv
Institution: Dalhousie University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214120038