Facile syntheses of monodisperse ultrasmall Au clusters

Observation of cluster size growth in CO-directed synthesis of Au25(SR)18 nanoclusters

The design of an efficient synthesis for large-scale production of atomically precise nanoclusters (NCs) is pivotal in realizing the size-dependent properties of the NCs. A simple and versatile method for producing atomically precise thiolated gold NCs (Au(25)(SR)(18) NCs) in large quantities (~200 mg) is demonstrated in this study. It uses a gaseous reducing agent, carbon monoxide (CO), to support a slow and size-controlled growth of Au(25)(SR)(18) NCs. Absorption measurements of the reaction solution, which underwent distinct color changes (colorless → yellow → orange → brown → red-brown), allowed the formation of thiolated Au(25) NCs to be reconstructed from several key intermediates. The unique reaction environment provided by gaseous CO presents a new synthetic route to fabricate atomically precise metal NCs in quantities large enough for application explorations.

Nucleation products of ligated nanoclusters unaffected by temperature and reducing agent

Atomically uniform nucleation products of ligated metal nanoclusters are observed irrespective of reduction conditions for metal-bidentate ligand systems. Monodentate ligands are not reported to wield similar control, indicating steric contributions of complexing ligands may be as important as their electronic structure for synthesizing small nanoclusters.

Stabilized gold clusters: from isolation toward controlled synthesis

Bare metal clusters with fewer than ∼100 atoms exhibit intrinsically unique and size-specific properties, making them promising functional units or building blocks for novel materials. To utilize such clusters in functional materials, they need to be stabilized against coalescence by employing organic ligands, polymers, and solid materials. To realize rational development of cluster-based materials, it is essential to clarify how the stability and nature of clusters are modified by interactions with stabilizers by characterizing isolated clusters. The next stage is to design on-demand function by intentionally controlling the structural parameters of cluster-based materials; such parameters include the size, composition, and atomic arrangement of clusters and the interfacial structure between clusters and stabilizers. This review summarizes the current state of the art of isolation of gold clusters stabilized in various environments and surveys ongoing efforts to precisely control the structural parameters with atomic level accuracy.

Facile synthesis and optical properties of magic-number Au13 clusters

Synthesis of molecular gold clusters through a post-synthetic scheme involving HCl-promoted nuclearity convergence was examined with various phosphine ligands. Systematic studies with a series of bis(diphenylphosphino) ligands (Ph(2)P-(CH(2))(m)-PPh(2)) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and electronic absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that the use of dppp (m = 3), dppb (m = 4) and dpppe (m = 5) as the ligands resulted in the formation of [Au(13)P(8)Cl(4)](+) type clusters, whereas the [Au(13)P(10)Cl(2)](3+) type cluster was formed with dppe (m = 2). The cluster species did not survive the HCl treatment step when monophosphines PPh(3), PMe(2)Ph, and POct(3) were employed, but [Au(13)(POct(3))(8)Cl(4)](+) was isolated as a minor product in the NaBH(4) reduction of Au(POct(3))Cl in aqueous THF. Electronic absorption and photoluminescence studies of a series of Au(13) clusters revealed that their optical properties are highly dependent on the phosphine/chloride composition ratio, but are far less so on the phosphine structure.

Sub-nanometre sized metal clusters: from synthetic challenges to the unique property discoveries

Sub-nanometre sized metal clusters, with dimensions between metal atoms and nanoparticles, have attracted more and more attention due to their unique electronic structures and the subsequent unusual physical and chemical properties. However, the tiny size of the metal clusters brings the difficulty of their synthesis compared to the easier preparation of large nanoparticles. Up to now various synthetic techniques and routes have been successfully applied to the preparation of sub-nanometre clusters. Among the metals, gold clusters, especially the alkanethiolate monolayer protected clusters (MPCs), have been extensively investigated during the past decades. In recent years, silver and copper nanoclusters have also attracted enormous interest mainly due to their excellent photoluminescent properties. Meanwhile, more structural characteristics, particular optical, catalytic, electronic and magnetic properties and the related technical applications of the metal nanoclusters have been discovered in recent years. In this critical review, recent advances in sub-nanometre sized metal clusters (Au, Ag, Cu, etc.) including the synthetic techniques, structural characterizations, novel physical, chemical and optical properties and their potential applications are discussed in detail. We finally give a brief outlook on the future development of metal nanoclusters from the viewpoint of controlled synthesis and their potential applications.

Predictive gold nanocluster formation controlled by metal-ligand complexes

The formation of ligand-protected gold nanoclusters during size-selective syntheses is seemingly driven by the inherent properties of the protecting ligands, but a general description of the product formation has not been presented. This study uses diphosphine-protected Au clusters as a model system to examine i) control of metal-ligand complex distributions in methanol-chloroform solutions, ii) role of solution perturbations, e.g., oxidation, and iii) nanocluster formation through reduction of characterized complex distributions. By selectively reducing complexes and monitoring cluster formation with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and UV-vis, data show the distribution of complexes can be controlled through ligand exchange, and the reduction of specific complexes produce characteristic ligated gold clusters based on ligand class. Specifically, 1,n-bis(diphenylphosphino)n-alkane ligands, L(n), where n = 1 through 6, are classified into two distinct sets. The classes represent ligands that either form mainly [AuL(n)(2)](+) (Class I, n = 1-3) or bridged [Au(2)L(n)(2)](2+) (Class II, n = 4-6) complexes after complete ligand exchange with AuClPPh(3). Selectively reducing gold-phosphine ligand complexes allows mapping of product formation, resulting collectively in a predictive tool for ligated gold cluster production by simply monitoring the initial complex distribution prior to reduction.

In situ formation and size control of gold nanoparticles into chitosan for nanocomposite surfaces with tailored wettability

The in situ formation of gold nanoparticles into the natural polymer chitosan is described upon pulsed laser irradiation. In particular, hydrogel-type films of chitosan get loaded with the gold precursor, chloroauric acid salt (HAuCl(4)), by immersion in its aqueous solution. After the irradiation of this system with increasing number of ultraviolet laser pulses, we observe the formation of gold nanoparticles with increasing density and decreasing size. Analytical studies using absorption measurements, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the nanocomposite samples throughout the irradiation procedure reveal that under the specific irradiation conditions there are two competing mechanisms responsible for the nanoparticles production: the photoreduction of the precursor responsible for the rising growth of gold particles with increasing size and the subsequent photofragmentation of these particles into smaller ones. The described method allows the localized formation of gold nanoparticles into specific areas of the polymeric films, expanding its potential applications due to its patterning capability. The size and density control of the gold nanoparticles, obtained by the accurate increase of the laser irradiation time, is accompanied by the simultaneously controlled increase of the wettability of the obtained gold nanocomposite surfaces. The capability of tailoring the hydrophilicity of nanocomposite materials based on natural polymer and biocompatible gold nanoparticles provides new potentialities in microfluidics or lab on chip devices for blood analysis or drugs transport, as well as in scaffold development for preferential cells growth.

Charge retention by gold clusters on surfaces prepared using soft landing of mass selected ions

Monodisperse gold clusters have been prepared on surfaces in different charge states through soft landing of mass-selected ions. Ligand-stabilized gold clusters were prepared in methanol solution by reduction of chloro(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) with borane tert-butylamine complex in the presence of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane. Electrospray ionization was used to introduce the clusters into the gas phase, and mass selection was employed to isolate a single ionic cluster species (Au(11)L(5)(3+), L = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane), which was delivered to surfaces at well-controlled kinetic energies. Using in situ time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), it is demonstrated that the Au(11)L(5)(3+) cluster retains its 3+ charge state when soft landed onto the surface of a 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol self-assembled monolayer (FSAM) on gold. In contrast, when deposited onto 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (COOH-SAM) and 1-dodecanethiol (HSAM) surfaces on gold, the clusters exhibit larger relative abundances of the 2+ and 1+ charge states, respectively. The kinetics of charge reduction on the FSAM and HSAM surfaces are investigated using in situ Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) SIMS. It is shown that an extremely slow interfacial charge reduction occurs on the FSAM surface while an almost instantaneous neutralization takes place on the surface of the HSAM. Our results demonstrate that the size and charge state of small gold clusters on surfaces, both of which exert a dramatic influence on their chemical and physical properties, may be tuned through soft landing of mass-selected ions onto carefully selected substrates.

Reaction mechanism governing formation of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane-protected gold nanoclusters

This report outlines the determination of a reaction mechanism that can be manipulated to develop directed syntheses of gold monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs) prepared by reduction of solutions containing 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (L(3)) ligand and Au(PPh(3))Cl. Nanocluster synthesis was initiated by reduction of two-coordinate phosphine-ligated [Au(I)LL'](+) complexes (L, L' = PPh(3), L(3)), resulting in free radical complexes. The [Au(0)LL'](•) free radicals nucleated, forming a broad size distribution of ligated clusters. Timed UV-vis spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry monitored the ligated Au(x), 6 ≤ x ≤ 13, clusters, which comprise reaction intermediates and final products. By employing different solvents and reducing agents, reaction conditions were varied to highlight the largest portion of the reaction mechanism. We identified several solution-phase reaction classes, including dissolution of the gold precursor, reduction, continuous nucleation/core growth, ligand exchange, ion-molecule reactions, and etching of colloids and larger clusters. Simple theories can account for the reaction intermediates and final products. The initial distribution of the nucleation products contains mainly neutral clusters. However, the rate of reduction controls the amount of reaction overlap occurring in the system, allowing a clear distinction between reduction/nucleation and subsequent solution-phase processing. During solution-phase processing, the complexes undergo core etching and core growth reactions, including reactions that convert neutral clusters to cations, in a cyclic process that promotes formation of stable clusters of specific metal nuclearity. These processes comprise "size-selective" processing that can narrow a broad distribution into specific nuclearities, enabling development of tunable syntheses.

Gold cluster formation with phosphine ligands: etching as a size-selective synthetic pathway for small clusters?

Triphenylphosphine (PPh(3)) is commonly used during syntheses of stable, closed-shell monolayer protected clusters (MPCs). Models of transition metal (TM) cluster and nanoparticle syntheses commonly assign PPh(3) a passive role as a chemical placeholder, electron balancing species, or surfactant. This study provides the first direct evidence that PPh(3) is a proactive etching agent that promotes the formation of specific closed-shell cluster sizes. To observe this effect, we developed a colorimetric tool that simultaneously monitors size distribution and population of PPh(3)-protected clusters as a function of time. The distribution of the clusters is assigned to different bin sizes by chemical conversion with L(3) (L(3) = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane): (i) total conversion of PPh(3)-protected Au(8) and Au(9) clusters into [Au(6)L(3)(4)](2+) and (ii) ligand exchange with [Au(x)(PPh(3))(y)](z+) (10 ≤ x ≤ 13) clusters to form L(3)-protected Au(10) and Au(11) clusters. Evolution of the nascent cluster distribution in ethanol and methanol solvent systems was monitored by the colorimetric assay, which revealed a cyclic process of growth and etching reactions around the most stable cluster species to form nearly monodisperse product distributions. We formally define the population growth of specific clusters through cyclic processing of the Au MPCs as "size selective" processing. The current study highlights the need for incorporating bidirectional processing, including relative rate information, into TM kinetic models for ligands with growth and etching efficacy.

One step synthesis of the smallest photoluminescent and paramagnetic PVP-protected gold atomic clusters

Gold atomic clusters of only two and three atoms were prepared by a simple electrochemical technique based on the anodic dissolution of a gold electrode in the presence of PVP, and subsequent electroreduction of the Au-PVP complexes. These clusters show stable photoluminescent and magnetic properties, which make them the smallest and most elemental gold (0) building blocks in nature (after atoms) bringing new possibilities to construct novel nano/microstructures with large potential interest in biomedicine, catalysis, and so forth.

Base-Directed Formation of Fluorescent Silver Clusters

Small silver clusters that form with short oligonucleotides are distinguished by their strong fluorescence. Previous work showed that red and blue/green emitting species form with the cytosine oligonucleotide dC₁₂. To understand how the bases and base sequence influence cluster formation, the blue/green emitting clusters that form with the thymine-containing oligonucleotides dT12, dT₄C₄T₄, and dC₄T₄C₄ are discussed. With dT₁₂ and dT₄C₄T₄, variations in the solution pH establish that the clusters associate with the N3 of thymine. The small clusters are bound to the larger DNA template, as demonstrated by fluorescence anisotropy, circular dichroism, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) studies. For dT₄C₄T₄, FCS studies showed that approximately 50% of the strands are labeled with the fluorescent clusters. Absorption spectra and the gas dependence of the fluorescence show that nonfluorescent clusters also form following the reduction of the silver cation - oligonucleotide conjugates. Fluorescent cluster formation is favored by oxygen, thus indicating that the DNA-bound clusters are partially oxidized. To elaborate the sequence dependence of cluster formation, dC₄T₄C₄ was studied. Cluster formation depends on the oligonucleotide concentration, and higher concentrations favor a red emitting species. A blue/green emissive species dominates at lower concentrations of dC₄T₄C₄, and it has spectroscopic, physical, and chemical properties that are similar to those of the clusters that form with dT₁₂ and dT₄C₄T₄. These results suggest that cytosine- and thymine-containing oligonucleotides stabilize a preferred emissive silver cluster.

Synthesis of small gold nanoparticles: Au(I) disproportionation catalyzed by a persulfurated coronene dendrimer

Gold nanoparticles with average diameter of 1.0 nm and narrow size distribution can be easily obtained by disproportionation of Au(+) ions, in the presence of a persulfurated coronene dendrimer that favors encounters between Au(+) ions and protects the resulting small nanoparticles from further aggregation.