Design of Novel Visible Light Active Photocatalyst Materials: Surface Modified TiO2

Work on the design of new TiO2 based photocatalysts is described. The key concept is the formation of composite structures through the modification of anatase and rutile TiO2 with molecular-sized nanoclusters of metal oxides. Density functional theory (DFT) level simulations are compared with experimental work synthesizing and characterizing surface modified TiO2 . DFT calculations are used to show that nanoclusters of metal oxides such as TiO2 , SnO/SnO2 , PbO/PbO2 , ZnO and CuO are stable when adsorbed at rutile and anatase surfaces, and can lead to a significant red shift in the absorption edge which will induce visible light absorption; this is the first requirement for a useful photocatalyst. The origin of the red shift and the fate of excited electrons and holes are determined. For p-block metal oxides the oxidation state of Sn and Pb can be used to modify the magnitude of the red shift and its mechanism. Comparisons of recent experimental studies of surface modified TiO2 that validate our DFT simulations are described. These nanocluster-modified TiO2 structures form the basis of a new class of photocatalysts which will be useful in oxidation reactions and with a correct choice of nanocluster modified can be applied to other reactions.

Membrane-associated Ras dimers are isoform-specific: K-Ras dimers differ from H-Ras dimers

Are the dimer structures of active Ras isoforms similar? This question is significant since Ras can activate its effectors as a monomer; however, as a dimer, it promotes Raf's activation and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cell signalling. In the present study, we model possible catalytic domain dimer interfaces of membrane-anchored GTP-bound K-Ras4B and H-Ras, and compare their conformations. The active helical dimers formed by the allosteric lobe are isoform-specific: K-Ras4B-GTP favours the α3 and α4 interface; H-Ras-GTP favours α4 and α5. Both isoforms also populate a stable β-sheet dimer interface formed by the effector lobe; a less stable β-sandwich interface is sustained by salt bridges of the β-sheet side chains. Raf's high-affinity β-sheet interaction is promoted by the active helical interface. Collectively, Ras isoforms' dimer conformations are not uniform; instead, the isoform-specific dimers reflect the favoured interactions of the HVRs (hypervariable regions) with cell membrane microdomains, biasing the effector-binding site orientations, thus isoform binding selectivity.

Transition-Metal-Ions-Induced Coalescence: Stitching Au Nanoclusters into Tubular Au-Based Nanocomposites

Rod-shaped assemblages of Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) can serve as self-templating solid precursors to produce tubular Au-based nanocomposites via the coalescence induced by transition metal ions. Specifically, when the AuNC assemblages react with transition metal ions with relatively high standard oxidation potentials such as Cu(II), Ag(I), Pd(II), and Au(III), a series of polycrystalline and ultrathin Au and Aux My (where M = Cu, Ag, and Pd) alloy hollow nanorods (HNRs) can be obtained with further reduction; these metallic products are evaluated for electrooxidation of methanol. Alternatively, the above transition metal ions-induced transformations can also be carried out after coating the AuNC assemblages with a layer of mesoporous SiO2 (mSiO2 ), giving rise to many mSiO2 -coated Au-based HNRs. Onto the formed AuPd0.18 alloy HNRs, furthermore, a range of transition metal oxides such as TiO2 , Co3 O4, and Cu2 O nanocrystals can be deposited easily to prepare metal oxide-AuPd0.18 HNRs nanocomposites, which can be used as photocatalysts. Compared with those conventional galvanic replacement reactions, the controlled coalescence of AuNCs induced by transition metal ions provides a novel and efficient chemical approach with improved element efficiency to tubular Au-based nanocomposites.

Integrated Computational and Experimental Structure Refinement for Nanoparticles

Determining the three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure of nanoparticles is critical to identifying the structures controlling their properties. Here, we demonstrate an integrated genetic algorithm (GA) optimization tool that refines the 3D structure of a nanoparticle by matching forward modeling to experimental scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) data and simultaneously minimizing the particle energy. We use the tool to create a refined 3D structural model of an experimentally observed ∼6000 atom Au nanoparticle.

Geometrical Effects on the Magnetic Properties of Nanoparticles

Elucidating the connection between shape and properties is a challenging but essential task for a rational design of nanoparticles at the atomic level. As a paradigmatic example we investigate how geometry can influence the magnetic properties of nanoparticles, focusing in particular on platinum clusters of 1-2 nm in size. Through first-principle calculations, we have found that the total magnetization depends strongly on the local atomic arrangements. This is due to a contraction of the nearest neighbor distance together with an elongation of the second nearest neighbor distance, resulting in an interatomic partial charge transfer from the atoms lying on the subsurface layer (donors) toward the vertexes (acceptors).

Vapor Condensed and Supercooled Glassy Nanoclusters

We use molecular simulation to study the structural and dynamic properties of glassy nanoclusters formed both through the direct condensation of the vapor below the glass transition temperature, without the presence of a substrate, and via the slow supercooling of unsupported liquid nanodroplets. An analysis of local structure using Voronoi polyhedra shows that the energetic stability of the clusters is characterized by a large, increasing fraction of bicapped square antiprism motifs. We also show that nanoclusters with similar inherent structure energies are structurally similar, independent of their history, which suggests the supercooled clusters access the same low energy regions of the potential energy landscape as the vapor condensed clusters despite their different methods of formation. By measuring the intermediate scattering function at different radii from the cluster center, we find that the relaxation dynamics of the clusters are inhomogeneous, with the core becoming glassy above the glass transition temperature while the surface remains mobile at low temperatures. This helps the clusters sample the highly stable, low energy structures on the potential energy surface. Our work suggests the nanocluster systems are structurally more stable than the ultrastable glassy thin films, formed through vapor deposition onto a cold substrate, but the nanoclusters do not exhibit the superheating effects characteristic of the ultrastable glass states.

Gold Nanocluster and Quantum Dot Complex in Protein for Biofriendly White-Light-Emitting Material

We report the synthesis of a biofriendly highly luminescent white-light-emitting nanocomposite. The composite consisted of Au nanoclusters and ZnQ2 complex (on the surface of ZnS quantum dots) embedded in protein. The combination of red, green, and blue luminescence from clusters, complex, and protein, respectively, led to white light generation.

Light-Emitting Diodes: Phosphorescent Nanocluster Light-Emitting Diodes (Adv. Mater. 2/2016)

On page 320, R. R. Lunt and co-workers demonstrate electroluminescence from earth-abundant phosphorescent metal halide nanoclusters. These inorganic emitters, which exhibit rich photophysics combined with a high phosphorescence quantum yield, are employed in red and near-infrared light-emitting diodes, providing a new platform of phosphorescent emitters for low-cost and high-performance light-emission applications.

Phosphorescent Nanocluster Light-Emitting Diodes

Devices utilizing an entirely new class of earth abundant, inexpensive phosphorescent emitters based on metal-halide nanoclusters are reported. Light-emitting diodes with tunable performance are demonstrated by varying cation substitution to these nanoclusters. Theoretical calculations provide insight about the nature of the phosphorescent emitting states, which involves a strong pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion.

Bioinspired Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction by Bovine Serum Albumin-Capped Silver Nanoclusters Mediated by [α-SiW12O40 ](4-)

Silver nanoclusters capped with bovine serum albumin (AgNC@BSA) were synthesized and applied for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 . Inspired by the fact that many enzymes function only in the presence of coenzymes/cofactors that transfer electrons/protons or other groups, an electron transfer mediator was introduced to facilitate the electrical communication between the electrode and the strongly protected catalyst. The AgNC@BSA catalyst mediated by [α-SiW12 O40](4-) anions showed high electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction, which was not observed with either component on its own, in dimethylformamide containing 1 % (v/v) water. CO was the major product with excellent faradaic efficiency (>75 %). The onset potential for this catalytic CO2 reduction process is about 400 mV more positive than that found at a bulk silver electrode. This mediator-enhanced catalysis concept provides a general approach to investigate the electrocatalytic activities of nanoclusters, which remain largely unexplored.

Reversible Photoisomerization of Spiropyran on the Surfaces of Au25 Nanoclusters

Au25 nanoclusters functionalized with a spiropyran molecular switch are synthesized via a ligand-exchange reaction at low temperature. The resulting nanoclusters are characterized by optical and NMR spectroscopies as well as by mass spectrometry. Spiropyran bound to nanoclusters isomerizes in a reversible fashion when exposed to UV and visible light, and its properties are similar to those of free spiropyran molecules in solution. The reversible photoisomerization entails the modulation of fluorescence as well as the light-controlled self-assembly of nanoclusters.

Cancer Cell Imaging Using in Situ Generated Gold Nanoclusters

In situ generated fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au-NCs) are used for bio-imaging of three human cancer cells, namely, lung (A549), breast (MCF7), and colon (HCT116), by confocal microscopy. The amount of Au-NCs in non-cancer cells (WI38 and MCF10A) is 20-40 times less than those in the corresponding cancer cells. The presence of a larger amount of glutathione (GSH) capped Au-NCs in the cancer cell is ascribed to a higher glutathione level in cancer cells. The Au-NCs exhibit fluorescence maxima at 490-530 nm inside the cancer cells. The fluorescence maxima and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry suggest that the fluorescent Au-NCs consist of GSH capped clusters with a core structure (Au8-13). Time-resolved confocal microscopy indicates a nanosecond (1-3 ns) lifetime of the Au-NCs inside the cells. This rules out the formation of aggregated Au-thiolate complexes, which typically exhibit microsecond (≈1000 ns) lifetimes. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) in live cells indicates that the size of the Au-NCs is ≈1-2 nm. For in situ generation, we used a conjugate consisting of a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL, [pmim][Br]) and HAuCl4. Cytotoxicity studies indicate that the conjugate, [pmim][AuCl4], is non-toxic for both cancer and non-cancer cells.

Controlled Assembly of Biocompatible Metallic Nanoaggregates Using a Small Molecule Crosslinker

By introducing a capping step and controlling the reaction parameters, assembly of metallic nanoparticle aggregates can be achieved using a small-molecule crosslinker. Aggregates can be assembled from particles of varied size and composition and the size of the aggregates can be systematically adjusted. Following cell uptake of 60 nm aggregates, the aggregates are stable and nontoxic to macrophage cells up to 55 × 10(-3) m Au.

Covalently Binding Atomically Designed Au9 Clusters to Chemically Modified Graphene

Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to identify individual Au₉ clusters on a sulfur-functionalized graphene surface. The clusters were preformed in solution and covalently attached to the surface without any dispersion or aggregation. Comparison of the experimental images with simulations allowed the rotational motion, without lateral displacement, of individual clusters to be discerned, thereby demonstrating a robust covalent attachment of intact clusters to the graphene surface.

Novel Soluble Dietary Fiber-Tannin Self-Assembled Film: A Promising Protein Protective Material

In this experiment, a natural promising protein protective film was fabricated through soluble dietary fiber (SDF)-tannin nanocluster self-assembly. FT-IR, XRD, and DSC tests were employed to investigate the interaction between the SDF and tannins before and after cross-linking induced by calcium ion. On the other hand, referring to the SEM and TEM results, the self-assembly process of the protein protective film could be indicated as follows: first, calcium ion, with its cross-ability, served as the "nucleus"; SDF and tannins were combined to prepare the nanoscale SDF-tannin clusters; then, the clusters were homogeneously deposited on the surface of protein to form a protective film by self-assembling hydrogen bond between tannin component of clusters as "adhesive" and protein in aqueous solutions under very mild conditions. Film thickness could also be controlled by tannin of different concentrations ranging from 114 to 1384 μm. Antibacterial test and in vitro cytotoxicity test proved that the film had a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties and excellent cell biocompatibility, respectively, which might open up new applications in the food preservation and biomedical fields.

Phosphorothioate DNA Stabilized Fluorescent Gold and Silver Nanoclusters

Unmodified single-stranded DNA has recently gained popularity for the templated synthesis of fluorescent noble metal nanoclusters (NCs). Bright, stable, and biocompatible clusters have been developed primarily through optimization of DNA sequence. However, DNA backbone modifications have not yet been investigated. In this work, phosphorothioate (PS) DNAs are evaluated in the synthesis of Au and Ag nanoclusters, and are employed to successfully template a novel emitter using T₁₅ DNA at neutral pH. Mechanistic studies indicate a distinct UV-dependent formation mechanism that does not occur through the previously reported thymine N3. The positions of PS substitution have been optimized. This is the first reported use of a T₁₅ template at physiological pH for AgNCs.

Oligomerization and nanocluster organization render specificity

Nanoclusters are anchored to membranes, either within them or in the cytoplasm latched onto the cytoskeleton, whose reorganization can regulate their activity. Nanoclusters have been viewed in terms of cooperativity and activation; here we perceive nanocluster organization from a conformational standpoint. This leads us to suggest that while single molecules encode activity, nanoclusters induce specificity, and that this is their main evolutionary aim. Distinct, isoform-specific nanocluster organization can drive the preferred effector (and ligand) interactions and thereby designate signalling pathways. The absence of detailed structural information across the nanocluster, due to size and dynamics, hinders an in-depth grasp of its mechanistic features; however, available data already capture some of the principles and their functional 'raison d'être'. Collectively, clustering lends stability and reduces the likelihood of proteolytic cleavage; it also increases the effective local concentration and enables efficient cooperative activation. However, clustering does not determine the ability of the single molecule to function. Drugs targeting nanoclusters can attenuate activity by hampering cooperativity; however, this may not perturb activation and signalling, which originate from the molecules themselves, and as such, are likely to endure. What then is the major role of nanoclustering? Assuming that single molecules evolved first, with a subsequent increase in cellular complexity and emergence of highly similar isoform variants, evolution faced the threat of signalling promiscuity. We reason that this potential risk was thwarted by oligomerization and clustering; clustering confers higher specificity, and a concomitant extra layer of cellular control. In our Ras example, signalling will be more accurate as a dimer than as a monomer, where its isomer specificity could be compromised.

Aggregation-induced structure transition of protein-stabilized zinc/copper nanoclusters for amplified chemiluminescence

A stable, water-soluble fluorescent Zn/Cu nanocluster (NC) capped with a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was synthesized and applied to the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydrogen carbonate. A significantly amplified chemiluminescence (CL) from the accelerated decomposition of peroxymonocarbonate (HCO4(-)) by the nanosluster was observed. The CL reaction led to a structure change of BSA and aggregation of Zn/Cu NCs. In the presence of H2O2, Zn/Cu-S bonding between BSA scaffolds and the encapsulated Zn/Cu@BSA NC was oxidized to form a disulfide product. Zn/Cu@BSA NCs were prone to aggregate to form larger nanoparticles without the protection of scaffolds. It is revealed that the strong CL emission was initiated from the catalysis of Zn/Cu@BSA NC and the surface plasmon coupling of the formed Zn/Cu nanoparticles in a single chemical reaction. This amplified CL was successfully exploited for selective sensing of hydrogen peroxide in environmental samples.

The structure and optical properties of the [Au18(SR)14] nanocluster

Decreasing the core size is one of the best ways to study the evolution from Au(I) complexes into Au nanoclusters. Toward this goal, we successfully synthesized the [Au18(SC6H11)14] nanocluster using the [Au18(SG)14] (SG=L-glutathione) nanocluster as the starting material to react with cyclohexylthiol, and determined the X-ray structure of the cyclohexylthiol-protected [Au18(C6H11S)14] nanocluster. The [Au18(SR)14] cluster has a Au9 bi-octahedral kernel (or inner core). This Au9 inner core is built by two octahedral Au6 cores sharing one triangular face. One transitional gold atom is found in the Au9 core, which can also be considered as part of the Au4(SR)5 staple motif. These findings offer new insight in terms of understanding the evolution from [Au(I)(SR)] complexes into Au nanoclusters.

Chiral 38-gold-atom nanoclusters: synthesis and chiroptical properties

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral Au38 nanoclusters is achieved with chiral 2-phenylpropane-1-thiol (abbreviated as R/S-PET, organic soluble), captopril and glutathione (water soluble) as the respective ligand. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of Au38 (R-PET)24 and Au38 (S-PET)24 show multiple bands which are precisely mirror-imaged, while their normal optical absorption spectra are identical with each other and also superimposable with that of the racemic Au38 (SCH2 CH2 Ph)24 nanoclusters. The observed CD signals are not from the chiral ligands themselves (which only give rise to CD signals in the UV (<250 nm), rather than in the visible wavelength region). Chiral Au38 nanoclusters with different types of ligands are further compared. Although the Au38 core is intrinsically chiral, different chiral ligands are found to largely influence the chiroptical response of the overall nanocluster. Thus, the chiral response of ligand-protected nanoclusters has both contributions from the metal core and the ligand shell around it. These optically active nanoclusters hold promise in future applications such as chiral sensing and catalysis.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanoclusters of ZnS Comprised on Nanowires

Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide cationic (CTAB) surfactant was used as template for the synthesis of nanoclusters of ZnS composed of nanowires, by hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological studies were performed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. The synthesized ZnS nanoclusters are composed of nanowires and high yield on the substrate was observed. The ZnS nanocrystalline consists of hexagonal phase and polycrystalline in nature. The chemical composition of ZnS nanoclusters composed of nanowires was studied by X-ray photo electron microscopy (XPS). This investigation has shown that the ZnS nanoclusters are composed of Zn and S atoms.

One-pot synthesis of phenylmethanethiolate-protected Au20(SR)16 and Au24(SR)20 nanoclusters and insight into the kinetic control

We report two synthetic routes for concurrent formation of phenylmethanethiolate (-SCH2Ph)-protected Au20(SR)16 and Au24(SR)24 nanoclusters in one-pot by kinetic control. Unlike the previously reported methods for thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, which typically involve rapid reduction of the gold precursor by excess NaBH4 and subsequent size focusing into atomically monodisperse clusters of a specific size, the present work reveals some insight into the kinetic control in gold-thiolate cluster synthesis. We demonstrate that the synthesis of -SCH2Ph-protected Au20 and Au24 nanoclusters can be obtained through two different, kinetically controlled methods. Specifically, route 1 employs slow addition of a relatively large amount of NaBH4 under slow stirring of the reaction mixture, while route 2 employs rapid addition of a small amount of NaBH4 under rapid stirring of the reaction mixture. At first glance, these two methods apparently possess quite different reaction kinetics, but interestingly they give rise to exactly the same product (i.e., the coproduction of Au20(SCH2Ph)16 and Au24(SCH2Ph)20 clusters). Our results explicitly demonstrate the complex interplay between the kinetic factors that include the addition speed and amount of NaBH4 solution as well as the stirring speed of the reaction mixture. Such insight is important for devising synthetic routes for different sized nanoclusters. We also compared the photoluminescence and electrochemical properties of PhCH2S-protected Au20 and Au24 nanoclusters with the PhC2H4S-protected counterparts. A surprising 2.5 times photoluminescence enhancement was observed for the PhCH2S-capped nanoclusters when compared to the PhC2H4S-capped analogues, thereby indicating a drastic effect of the ligand that is merely one carbon shorter.

Formation of a Pt12 cluster by single-atom control that leads to enhanced reactivity: hydrogenation of unreactive olefins

A platinum subnanocluster catalyst composed of 12 atoms was synthesized using a phenylazomethine dendrimer, which can assemble twelve PtCl4 units by stepwise complexation, followed by reduction to Pt(0). Unreactive olefins that were not activated by conventional 2 nm Pt nanoparticles were successfully hydrogenated by the subnanocluster. EWG = electron-withdrawing group.

Equilibrium gold nanoclusters quenched with biodegradable polymers

Although sub-100 nm nanoclusters of metal nanoparticles are of interest in many fields including biomedical imaging, sensors, and catalysis, it has been challenging to control their morphologies and chemical properties. Herein, a new concept is presented to assemble equilibrium Au nanoclusters of controlled size by tuning the colloidal interactions with a polymeric stabilizer, PLA(1k)-b-PEG(10k)-b-PLA(1k). The nanoclusters form upon mixing a dispersion of ~5 nm Au nanospheres with a polymer solution followed by partial solvent evaporation. A weakly adsorbed polymer quenches the equilibrium nanocluster size and provides steric stabilization. Nanocluster size is tuned from ~20 to ~40 nm by experimentally varying the final Au nanoparticle concentration and the polymer/Au ratio, along with the charge on the initial Au nanoparticle surface. Upon biodegradation of the quencher, the nanoclusters reversibly and fully dissociate to individual ~5 nm primary particles. Equilibrium cluster size is predicted semiquantitatively with a free energy model that balances short-ranged depletion and van der Waals attractions with longer-ranged electrostatic repulsion, as a function of the Au and polymer concentrations. The close spacings of the Au nanoparticles in the clusters produce strong NIR extinction over a broad range of wavelengths from 650 to 900 nm, which is of practical interest in biomedical imaging.