A 200-fold quantum yield boost in the photoluminescence of silver-doped Ag(x)Au(25-x) nanoclusters: the 13th silver atom matters

Ag29(BDT)12(TPP)4: A Tetravalent Nanocluster

The bottom-up assembly of nanoparticles into diverse ordered solids is a challenge because it requires nanoparticles, which are often quasi-spherical, to have interaction anisotropy akin to atoms and molecules. Typically, anisotropy has been introduced by changing the shape of the inorganic nanoparticle core. Here, we present the design, self-assembly, optical properties, and total structural determination of Ag29(BDT)12(TPP)4, an atomically precise tetravalent nanocluster (NC) (BDT, 1,3-benzenedithiol; TPP, triphenylphosphine). It features four unique tetrahedrally symmetrical binding surface sites facilitated by the supramolecular assembly of 12 BDT (wide footprint bidentate thiols) in the ligand shell. When each of these sites was selectively functionalized by a single phosphine ligand, particle stability, synthetic yield, and the propensity to self-assemble into macroscopic crystals increased. The solid crystallized NCs have a substantially narrowed optical band gap compared to that of the solution state, suggesting strong interparticle electronic coupling occurs in the solid state.

A metal exchange method for thiolate-protected tri-metal M(1)Ag(x)Au(24-x)(SR)(18)(0) (M = Cd/Hg) nanoclusters

We herein reported the first synthesis of tri-metallic M1AgxAu24-x(SR)18(0) (M = Cd/Hg) nanoclusters by a two-step metal exchange method. Optical spectra suggested that the second and third foreign metals could largely change the electronic structure of homogold Au25(SR)18(-) nanoclusters. This work also provides a novel way to find the doping site of some special metals (such as Cd), which can be done using silver as the isotope of gold.

Metal nanocluster light-emitting devices with suppressed parasitic emission and improved efficiency: exploring the impact of photophysical properties

Here we investigate the photophysical properties of Au(0)@Au(i)-thiolate nanoclusters by controlling the degree of aggregation, and measure electrochemical energy levels to design a metal nanocluster-based thin film LED (MNC-LED) structure. These efforts allow us to implement MNC-LEDs with luminance exceeding 40 cd m(-2) and external quantum efficiency exceeding 0.1% with clearly visible orange emission. It is also demonstrated that by varying the sizes of nanoclusters, the electroluminescence spectrum of the device can be tuned to the infrared emission, indicating the possibility of exploiting metal nanocluster emitters for use over a wide spectral range.

Integrated logic gate for fluorescence turn-on detection of histidine and cysteine based on Ag/Au bimetallic nanoclusters-Cu²⁺ ensemble

By means of employing 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA) as a reducing agent and protecting ligand, we present straightforward one-pot preparation of fluorescent Ag/Au bimetallic nanoclusters (namely AgAuNCs@11-MUA) from AgNO3 and HAuCl4 in alkaline aqueous solution at room temperature. It is found that the fluorescence of AgAuNCs@11-MUA has been selectively quenched by Cu(2+) ions, and the nonfluorescence off-state of the as-prepared AgAuNCs@11-MUA-Cu(2+) ensemble can be effectively switched on upon the addition of histidine and cysteine. By incorporating Ni(2+) ions and N-ethylmaleimide, this phenomenon is further exploited as an integrated logic gate and a specific fluorescence turn-on assay for selectively and sensitively sensing histidine and cysteine has been designed and established based on the original noncovalent AgAuNCs@11-MUA-Cu(2+) ensemble. Under the optimal conditions, histidine and cysteine can be detected in the concentration ranges of 0.25-9 and 0.25-7 μM; besides, the detection limits are found to be 87 and 111 nM (S/N = 3), respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the proposed AgAuNCs@11-MUA-based fluorescent assay can be successfully utilized for biological fluids sample analysis.

DNA-Protected Silver Clusters for Nanophotonics

DNA-protected silver clusters (Ag_N-DNA) possess unique fluorescence properties that depend on the specific DNA template that stabilizes the cluster. They exhibit peak emission wavelengths that range across the visible and near-IR spectrum. This wide color palette, combined with low toxicity, high fluorescence quantum yields of some clusters, low synthesis costs, small cluster sizes and compatibility with DNA are enabling many applications that employ Ag_N-DNA. Here we review what is known about the underlying composition and structure of Ag_N-DNA, and how these relate to the optical properties of these fascinating, hybrid biomolecule-metal cluster nanomaterials. We place Ag_N-DNA in the general context of ligand-stabilized metal clusters and compare their properties to those of other noble metal clusters stabilized by small molecule ligands. The methods used to isolate pure Ag_N-DNA for analysis of composition and for studies of solution and single-emitter optical properties are discussed. We give a brief overview of structurally sensitive chiroptical studies, both theoretical and experimental, and review experiments on bringing silver clusters of distinct size and color into nanoscale DNA assemblies. Progress towards using DNA scaffolds to assemble multi-cluster arrays is also reviewed.

Adding two active silver atoms on Au₂₅ nanoparticle

Alloy nanoparticles with atomic monodispersity is of importance for some fundamental research (e.g., the investigation of active sites). However, the controlled preparation of alloy nanoparticles with atomic monodispersity has long been a major challenge. Herein, for the first time a unique method, antigalvanic reduction (AGR), is introduced to synthesize atomically monodisperse Au25Ag2(SC2H4Ph)18 in high yield (89%) within 2 min. Interestingly, the two silver atoms in Au25Ag2(SC2H4Ph)18 do not replace the gold atoms in the precursor particle Au25(SC2H4Ph)18 but collocate on Au25, which was supported by experimental and calculated results. Also, the two silver atoms are active to play roles in stabilizing the alloy nanoparticle, triggering the nanoparticle fluorescence and catalyzing the hydrolysis of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-ynyl acetate.

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters: stable sizes and optical properties

Controlling nanoparticles with atomic precision has long been a major dream of nanochemists. Breakthroughs have been made in the case of gold nanoparticles, at least for nanoparticles smaller than ∼3 nm in diameter. Such ultrasmall gold nanoparticles indeed exhibit fundamentally different properties from those of the plasmonic counterparts owing to the quantum size effects as well as the extremely high surface-to-volume ratio. These unique nanoparticles are often called nanoclusters to distinguish them from conventional plasmonic nanoparticles. Intense work carried out in the last few years has generated a library of stable sizes (or stable stoichiometries) of atomically precise gold nanoclusters, which are opening up new exciting opportunities for both fundamental research and technological applications. In this review, we have summarized the recent progress in the research of thiolate (SR)-protected gold nanoclusters with a focus on the reported stable sizes and their optical absorption spectra. The crystallization of nanoclusters still remains challenging; nevertheless, a few more structures have been achieved since the earlier successes in Au102(SR)44, Au25(SR)18 and Au38(SR)24 nanoclusters, and the newly reported structures include Au20(SR)16, Au24(SR)20, Au28(SR)20, Au30S(SR)18, and Au36(SR)24. Phosphine-protected gold and thiolate-protected silver nanoclusters are also briefly discussed in this review. The reported gold nanocluster sizes serve as the basis for investigating their size dependent properties as well as the development of applications in catalysis, sensing, biological labelling, optics, etc. Future efforts will continue to address what stable sizes are existent, and more importantly, what factors determine their stability. Structural determination and theoretical simulations will help to gain deep insight into the structure-property relationships.

Use of epidermal growth factor receptor antibody–gold cluster conjugates with good renal excretion in targeted cancer radiation treatment

EGFR antibody–gold clusters were shown to improve the efficiency of radiation treatment and had good renal clearance in a mouse model.

Optical properties of nanoalloys

Optical absorption spectra of bare (left) and monolayer-protected (right) metal nanoalloys.

Controlling the synthesis and assembly of fluorescent Au/Ag alloy nanoclusters

Self-assembly of water-soluble fluorescent thiolated Au/Ag alloy NCs into 1D nanostructures in water is demonstrated. Fluorescent Au/Ag alloy NCs with high stability were synthesized through galvanic replacement, starting from nonemissive and unstable AgNC precursors. Then a facile ultrasound method was used to induce a thiolate-driven self-assembly process.

Noble metal clusters protected with mixed proteins exhibit intense photoluminescence

Noble metal clusters in a mixed protein (BSA–Lyz) matrix lead to a better FRET and high fluorescence quantum yield.

Crystal structure and electronic properties of a thiolate-protected Au24 nanocluster

Solving the total structures of gold nanoclusters is of critical importance for understanding their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. Herein, we report the X-ray structure of a charge-neutral Au24(SCH2Ph-(t)Bu)20 nanocluster. This structure features a bi-tetrahedral Au8 kernel protected by four tetrameric staple-like motifs. Electronic structure analysis is further carried out and the optical absorption spectrum is interpreted. The Au24(SCH2Ph-(t)Bu)20, Au23(S-c-C6H11)16 and Au25(SCH2CH2Ph)18 nanoclusters constitute the first crystallographically characterized "trio".