Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance

Abstract The use of non-stoichiometric metal oxides as plasmonic materials is an effective way to increase photocatalytic performance. This report shows that WO3−x nanocrystals exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band in the near-infrared (NIR) region and photocatalytic a...

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Main Authors: Mohsen Zafari, Fatemeh Shariatmadar Tehrani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99138-x
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author Mohsen Zafari
Fatemeh Shariatmadar Tehrani
author_facet Mohsen Zafari
Fatemeh Shariatmadar Tehrani
author_sort Mohsen Zafari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The use of non-stoichiometric metal oxides as plasmonic materials is an effective way to increase photocatalytic performance. This report shows that WO3−x nanocrystals exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band in the near-infrared (NIR) region and photocatalytic activity in methylene blue (MB) degradation. The LSPR absorption bands of the synthesized WO3−x nanocrystals are simulated using the Mie-Gans theory, and their free carrier densities (N e ) are calculated. The findings show that the calcination process shifts the LSPR peak from 1213 to 1771 nm (a remarkable redshift at about 560 nm). In addition, the calcination process leads to the values of N e as high as 2.03 × 1022 cm−3, which is close to that of plasmonic noble metals, and thus the obtained WO3−x nanostructures can be considered as quasi-metallic. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of MB by the samples are discussed according to their photoluminescence emission, absorption spectra, predicted LSPR, and energy band diagrams and the main photocatalytic processes are proposed.
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spelling doaj-art-eb9af2163d3d41cba9c31599d224e30e2025-08-20T02:19:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-99138-xEnhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonanceMohsen Zafari0Fatemeh Shariatmadar Tehrani1Faculty of Physics, Semnan UniversityFaculty of Physics, Semnan UniversityAbstract The use of non-stoichiometric metal oxides as plasmonic materials is an effective way to increase photocatalytic performance. This report shows that WO3−x nanocrystals exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band in the near-infrared (NIR) region and photocatalytic activity in methylene blue (MB) degradation. The LSPR absorption bands of the synthesized WO3−x nanocrystals are simulated using the Mie-Gans theory, and their free carrier densities (N e ) are calculated. The findings show that the calcination process shifts the LSPR peak from 1213 to 1771 nm (a remarkable redshift at about 560 nm). In addition, the calcination process leads to the values of N e as high as 2.03 × 1022 cm−3, which is close to that of plasmonic noble metals, and thus the obtained WO3−x nanostructures can be considered as quasi-metallic. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of MB by the samples are discussed according to their photoluminescence emission, absorption spectra, predicted LSPR, and energy band diagrams and the main photocatalytic processes are proposed.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99138-xLocalized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)Mie-Gans theoryFree carrier densityNear-infrared (NIR)PhotocatalysisTungsten oxide
spellingShingle Mohsen Zafari
Fatemeh Shariatmadar Tehrani
Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
Scientific Reports
Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)
Mie-Gans theory
Free carrier density
Near-infrared (NIR)
Photocatalysis
Tungsten oxide
title Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
title_full Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
title_fullStr Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
title_short Enhanced photocatalytic performance of non-stoichiometric WO3−x nanocrystals via near-infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
title_sort enhanced photocatalytic performance of non stoichiometric wo3 x nanocrystals via near infrared localized surface plasmon resonance
topic Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)
Mie-Gans theory
Free carrier density
Near-infrared (NIR)
Photocatalysis
Tungsten oxide
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99138-x
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AT fatemehshariatmadartehrani enhancedphotocatalyticperformanceofnonstoichiometricwo3xnanocrystalsvianearinfraredlocalizedsurfaceplasmonresonance