Plasmonic nanoparticle catalysts and methods for producing long-chain hydrocarbon molecules

A plasmonic nanoparticle catalyst for producing hydrocarbon molecules by light irradiation, comprising:

• at least one plasmonic provider;
• and
• at least one catalytic property provider, wherein
• the plasmonic provider and the catalytic property provider are in contact with each other or have distance less than 200 nm, said at least one plasmonic provider and said at least one catalytic property provider are provided in one nanoparticle, and
• the catalytic property provider is selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, La, Ce, Cu, Ni, C and oxide, chloride, carbonate and bicarbonate thereof, and
• molecular composition of the hydrocarbon molecules produced by light irradiation is temperature-dependent.