Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalysis: Resolving LSPR Mechanisms and Benchmarking Supports for Visible-Light Degradation of Emerging Pollutants

Plasmonic photocatalysis has emerged as a powerful strategy for solar-driven energy conversion, environmental remediation, and photocatalytic organic synthesis. Plasmonic photocatalysts, comprising noble metal nanoparticles supported on metal oxide semiconductors, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), graphene oxide (GO), and even inert matrices such as silica, mixed metal oxides, and polymers, exhibit enhanced visible-light activity. Their performance is primarily governed by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which promotes hot-carrier generation, intensified light absorption, and improved charge separation. This review comprehensively summarizes the design principles, mechanistic pathways, and applications of plasmonic photocatalysts for efficient degradation of aqueous organic pollutants.