journal article·2026-06-28Open access

Curvature‐Controlled Field Effect Enables Thermal Localization for Low‐Temperature C─F Bond Activation

Hang Zhang, Jialin Zheng, Xiaojian Wang, Hao Yu, Diya Xie, Wenjie Luo, Minghui Yang, Kang Liu, Yuxia Duan, Zhang Lin, Liyuan Chai, Emiliano Cortés, Min Liu

Abstract

ABSTRACT Geometric singularities are known to concentrate electric and optical fields, but whether curvature alone can localize thermal energy and thereby influence chemical kinetics remains unresolved. Here, we show experimentally and computationally that nanoscale curvature generates localized thermal fields that directly lower reaction barriers in heterogeneous catalysis. Using γ‐Al 2 O 3 architectures with systematically varied curvature, nanoneedles, micro‐needles, and spheres, while maintaining comparable composition, phase, acidity, and defect states, we observe curvature‐dependent temperature localization of up to ∼30 °C at nanoneedle tips under identical external heating. In situ infrared thermography confirms hotspot formation, and operando vibrational spectroscopy reveals enhanced water dissociation and increased *CF 3 intermediate populations during CF 4 decomposition. These effects reduce the apparent activation energy and enable complete CF 4 decomposition at 580 °C, substantially below that required for lower‐curvature structures. The results establish curvature‐induced thermal localization as a general physical mechanism linking geometry to interfacial energy density and reaction kinetics, providing a universal design principle for activating strongly bound molecules.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications · Advanced Chemical Physics Studies · Catalysis for Biomass Conversion

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Hunan Joint International Research Center For Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization School of Physics Central South University Changsha Hunan China

Nanoinstitute Munich Faculty of Physics Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München München Germany

School of Metallurgy and Environment Central South University Changsha Hunan China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

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