Non-resonant Plasmon Energy Transfer Processes for Catalysis | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Letter Non-resonant Plasmon Energy Transfer Processes for Catalysis Jacinto Sa, Arthur Andreis, Jorge Herrera Luna, Virginie Mouriès-Mansuy, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7232776/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Communications Materials → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract How can energy transfer catalysis be extended beyond molecular photosensitizers to more robust, tunable systems? In this study, we investigate whether plasmonic nanostructures can serve as universal energy donors to activate redox-inert gold(I) complexes relevant to photo-driven catalysis. Using a molecular mediator, we demonstrate that localized energy from gold nanoparticles can be transferred through a two-step Dexter-type mechanism to generate the reactive first triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer state of the gold complex, even under non-resonant excitation. Spectroscopic analyses confirm the formation and lifetime of this excited state and reveal emission-based signatures of successful energy transfer. These results establish a mechanistic foundation for plasmon-enabled activation and open new possibilities for designing catalytic systems where precise energetic control and compatibility with a broad range of substrates are critical. Physical sciences/Chemistry/Photochemistry/Photocatalysis Physical sciences/Chemistry/Physical chemistry/Energy transfer Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files EnergytransferNat.Mater.SI.pdf Supplementary information Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Communications Materials → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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