Simultaneous Hot Electron and Hole Injection upon Excitation of Gold Surface Plasmon

We have successfully investigated the simultaneous injection of hot electrons and holes upon excitation of gold localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The studies were performed on all-solid-state plasmonic system composed of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)/poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) p–n junctions with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The study revealed that both charge carriers are transferred within 200 fs to the respective charge acceptors, exhibiting a free carrier transport behavior. We also confirmed that the transfer of charge carriers are accompanied by change in the initial relaxation dynamics of Au NPs.