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Nanostructured gold and silver exhibit colors on the basis of localized plasmon resonance.
If the nanostructures are combined with titanium dioxide, charge separation is induced at the junction by visible light.
The present research project aims at elucidation of its mechanisms, improvement of its efficiency, and derivation of photo-functions including a photovoltaic effect and photocatalysis.
Metal nanoparticles and nanostructures would be a new photosensitizer for the conversion of energy and information.