Synchrotron X‐Ray‐Driven Nitrogen Reduction on an AgCu Thin Film

Nitrogen (N2) is an essential element for life, but kinetically stable N2 in the atmosphere needs to be reduced to biologically available forms as a nutrient for organisms. Abiotic nitrogen fixation is critical to the origin of life on the early Earth, which is due to lightning or mineral‐based reduction. Here, synchrotron X‐ray‐induced silver nitrate formation on a silver copper (AgCu) thin‐film is reported. Time‐resolved X‐ray diffraction measurements show that under intense X‐ray exposure, initially formed silver oxides (AgOx) are quickly converted to silver nitrate (AgNO3). Interestingly, AgNO3 is first formed in its high‐temperature phase with a space group of R3cH, which gradually transforms to the room temperature phase with a space group of Pbca under continuous X‐ray irradiation. The result not only provides a new clue about the abiotic nitrogen reduction prior to life but also demonstrates a novel strategy of materials synthesis using synchrotron X‐rays. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) formation in the air on the surface of silver (Ag) thin film is induced and also monitored by time‐resolved synchrotron X‐ray. The AgNO3 is first formed in its high‐temperature phase with a space group of R3cH (AgNO3‐R), which gradually transforms to the room temperature phase with a space group of Pbca (AgNO3‐P) under continuous X‐ray irradiation.