Project information
- Funder
- GA ČR / Standardní projekty
- Period
- 2027-2029
- Registration number
- 27-27326S
- Budget
- 3.77M Kč for MFF UK, 10M Kč total
Summary
A central unresolved problem in plasmonic nanomaterials is whether enhanced photocatalytic activity arises from photothermal heating or non-thermal hot carriers. Although recent studies increasingly favour thermal effects, decisive evidence is lacking due to the absence of methods for probing nanoparticle surface temperature under irradiation. Au@CeOx core@shell nanoparticles are prototypical visible-light-active plasmonic systems, where Ce → Ce³ reduction has been attributed to plasmon-induced heating, though the interpretation remains unverified. This project will provide the first quantitative determination of plasmonic nanoparticle surface temperature under irradiation using the temperature-dependent response of surface adsorbates. By combining X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption, and infrared spectroscopy, the approach will unambiguously distinguish thermal and non-thermal mechanisms and establish a general framework for resolving energy dissipation pathways in plasmonic core@shell nanostructures.