Control of Electrochemical Reactions and Film Deposition with the Plasmonic Environment and Light Illumination

Significant modifications in the kinetics of electrochemical reactions are observed in cyclic voltammetry experiments in the conditions of a plasmonic environment and light illumination. In nanostructured gold, the effect of light on anodic and cathodic currents is much pronounced than that in the gold flat system. The electron transfer rate shows a three-fold increase under photoexcitation. Applying these findings to the electrochemical deposition of polyaniline, we experimentally show the possibility to control film growth with light.