  The field of plasmonics is capable of enabling interesting applications in
the different wavelength ranges, spanning from the ultraviolet up to the
infrared. The choice of plasmonic material and how the material is
nanostructured have significant implications for ultimate performance of any
plasmonic device. Artificially designed nanoporous metals have interesting
material properties including large specific surface area, distinctive optical
properties, high electrical conductivity, and reduced stiffness, implying their
potentials for many applications. This manuscript reviews the wide range of
available nanoporous metals, mainly focusing on their properties as plasmonic
materials. While extensive reports on the use and characterization of NPMs
exist, a detailed discussion on their connection with surface plasmons and
enhanced spectroscopies as well as photocatalysis is missing. Here, we report
on different metals investigated, from the most used nanoporous gold to mixed
metal compounds, and discuss each of these plasmonic materials suitability for
a range of structural design and applications. Finally, we discuss the
potentials and limitations of the traditional and alternative plasmonic
materials for applications in enhanced spectroscopy and photocatalysis.
