Atomic-Shell Engineering of GeS_x-Au Nanorods Synergistically Suppresses Phonon Scattering and Activates N₂ for Near-Infrared-Driven Ammonia Synthesis.

ABSTRACT: The efficient utilization of near-infrared (NIR) light remains a paramount challenge for solar-driven photocatalytic nitrogen fixation, primarily due to rapid energy dissipation of hot carriers via phonon scattering. Here, we construct a well-defined core-shell heterostructure through the in situ anchoring of an ultrathin, sulfur-vacancy-rich GeS_x shell onto gold nanorods (AuNRs)-an atomic-scale configuration that fundamentally suppresses phonon-mediated energy loss. This suppression, directly evidenced by transient absorption spectroscopy through reduced phonon frequency and scattering rate, prolongs the lifetime of plasmon-derived hot electrons. Combined with the vacancy-enabled activation of the robust N≡N bond at exposed Ge sites, this catalyst achieves an exceptional NH

SUBMITTER: Liu JX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12932937 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature