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Mu WL, Luo YT, Xia PK, Jia YL, Wang P, Pei Y, Liu C. Atomically Precise Mo 2Cu 17 Bimetallic Nanocluster: Synergistic Mo 2O 4-Coupled Copper Alkynyl Cluster for the Improved Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:6767-6775. [PMID: 38569160 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Electrolytic hydrogen production via water splitting holds significant promise for the future of the energy revolution. The design of efficient and abundant catalysts, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism, is of paramount importance. In this study, we propose a strategy to craft an atomically precise cluster catalyst with superior HER performance by cocoupling a Mo2O4 structural unit and a Cu(I) alkynyl cluster into a structured framework. The resulting bimetallic cluster, Mo2Cu17, encapsulates a distinctive structure [Mo2O4Cu17(TC4A)4(PhC≡C)6], comprising a binuclear Mo2O4 subunit and a {Cu17(TC4A)2(PhC≡C)6} cluster, both shielded by thiacalix[4]arene (TC4A) and phenylacetylene (PhC≡CH). Expanding our exploration, we synthesized two homoleptic CuI alkynyl clusters coprotected by the TC4A and PhC≡C- ligands: Cu13 and Cu22. Remarkably, Mo2Cu17 demonstrates superior HER efficiency compared to its counterparts, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline solution with an overpotential as low as 120 mV, significantly outperforming Cu13 (178 mV) and Cu22 (214 mV) nanoclusters. DFT calculations illuminate the catalytic mechanism and indicate that the intrinsically higher activity of Mo2Cu17 may be attributed to the synergistic Mo2O4-Cu(I) coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Lei Mu
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Ting Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411100, P. R. China
| | - Peng-Kun Xia
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Lei Jia
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
| | - Pu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411100, P. R. China
| | - Yong Pei
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411100, P. R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, P. R. China
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Artem'ev AV, Liu CW. Recent progress in dichalcophosphate coinage metal clusters and superatoms. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023. [PMID: 37184074 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc01215h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Atomically precise clusters of group 11 metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) attract considerable attention owing to their remarkable structure and fascinating properties. One of the unique subclasses of these clusters is based on dichalcophosphate ligands of [(RO)2PE2]- type (E = S or Se, and R = alkyl). These ligands successfully stabilise the most diverse Cu, Ag, and Au clusters and superatoms, spanning from simple ones to amazing assemblies featuring unusual structural and bonding patterns. It is noteworthy that such complicated clusters are assembled directly from cheap and simple reagents, metal(I) salts and dichalcophosphate anions. This reaction, when performed in the presence of a hydride or other anion sources, or foreign metal ions, results in hydrido- or anion-templated homo- or heteronuclear structures. In this feature article, we survey the recent advances in this exciting field, highlighting the powerful synthetic capabilities of the system "a metal(I) salt - [(RO)2PX2]- ligands - a templating anion or borohydride" as an inexhaustible platform for the creation of new atomically precise clusters, superatoms, and nanoalloys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Artem'ev
- Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, SB RAS, 3, Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation
| | - C W Liu
- National Dong Hwa University, Department of Chemistry, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Guo QL, Han BL, Sun CF, Wang Z, Tao Y, Lin JQ, Luo GG, Tung CH, Sun D. Observation of a bcc-like framework in polyhydrido copper nanoclusters. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:19642-19649. [PMID: 34816855 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05567d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cu is well-known to adopt a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure in the bulk phase. Ligand-stabilized Cu nanoclusters (NCs) with atomically precise structures are an emerging class of nanomaterials. However, it remains a great challenge to have non-fcc structured Cu NCs. In this contribution, we report the syntheses and total structure determination of six 28-nuclearity polyhydrido Cu NCs: [Cu28H16(dppp)4(RS)4(CF3CO2)8] (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, RSH = cyclohexylthiol, 1; tert-butylthiol, 3; and 2-thiophenethiol, 4) and [Cu28H16(dppe)4(RS)4(CH3CO2)6Cl2] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, RSH = (4-isopropyl)thiophenol, 2; 4-tert-butylbenzenethiol, 5; and 4-tert-butylbenzylmercaptan, 6). Their well-defined structures solved by X-ray single crystal diffraction reveal that these 28-Cu NCs are isostructural, and the overall metal framework is arranged as a sandwich structure with a core-shell Cu2@Cu16 unit held by two Cu5 fragments. One significant finding is that the organization of 18 Cu atoms in the Cu2@Cu16 could be regarded as an incomplete and distorted version of 3 × 2 × 2 "cutout" of the body-centered cubic (bcc) bulk phase, which was strikingly different to the fcc structure of bulk Cu. The bcc framework came as a surprise, as no bcc structures have been previously observed in Cu NCs. A comparison with the ideal bcc arrangement of 18 Cu atoms in the bcc lattice suggests that the distortion of the bcc structure results from the insertion of interstitial hydrides. The existence, number, and location of hydrides in these polyhydrido Cu NCs are established by combined experimental and DFT results. These results have significant implications for the development of high-nuclearity Cu hydride NCs with a non-fcc architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Lin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Functional Materials Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bao-Liang Han
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Cun-Fa Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Functional Materials Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhi Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yunwen Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Methodist University, 3215 Daniel Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75275-0314, USA.
| | - Jin-Qing Lin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Functional Materials Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Geng-Geng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Friendly Functional Materials Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chen-Ho Tung
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Di Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
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Brocha Silalahi RP, Chiu TH, Kao JH, Wu CY, Yin CW, Liu YC, Chen YJ, Saillard JY, Chiang MH, Liu CW. Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Two-Electron Bimetallic Cu-Ag and Cu-Au Nanoclusters via Copper Hydride Precursors. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:10799-10807. [PMID: 34236845 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis, structural characteristics, and photophysical properties of luminescent Cu-rich bimetallic superatomic clusters [Au@Cu12(S2CNnPr2)6(C≡CPh)4]+ (1a+), [Au@Cu12{S2P(OR)2}6(C≡CPh)4]+ (2+), (2a+ = iPr; 2b+ = nPr), [Au@Cu12{S2P(C2H4Ph)2}6(C≡CPh)4]+ (2c+), and [Ag@Cu12{S2P(OnPr)2}6(C≡CPh)4]+ (3+) were studied. Compositionally uniform clusters 1+-3+ were isolated from the reaction of dithiolato-stabilized, polyhydrido copper clusters with phenylacetylene in the presence of heterometal salts. By using X-ray diffraction, the structures of 1a+, 2a+, 2b+, and 3+ were able to be determined. ESI-mass spectrometry and elemental analysis confirmed their compositions and purity. The structural characteristics of these clusters are similar with respect to displaying gold (or silver)-centered Cu12 cuboctahedra surrounded by six dithiocarbamate/dithiophosph(in)ate and four alkynyl ligands. The doping of Au and Ag atoms into the polyhydrido copper nanoclusters significantly enhances their PL quantum yields from Ag@Cu12 (0.58%) to Au@Cu12 (55%) at ambient temperature in solution. In addition, the electrochemical properties of the new alloys were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhone P Brocha Silalahi
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan 974301, R.O.C
| | - Tzu-Hao Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan 974301, R.O.C
| | - Jhen-Heng Kao
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan 974301, R.O.C
| | - Chun-Yen Wu
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan 974301, R.O.C
| | - Chi-Wei Yin
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University 510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhung District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 24205, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Chiao Liu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academica Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11528, R.O.C
| | - Yuan Jang Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University 510 Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhung District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 24205, R.O.C
| | | | - Ming-Hsi Chiang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academica Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 11528, R.O.C
| | - C W Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan 974301, R.O.C
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Chakrahari KK, Liao J, Silalahi RPB, Chiu TH, Liao JH, Wang X, Kahlal S, Saillard JY, Liu CW. Isolation and Structural Elucidation of 15-Nuclear Copper Dihydride Clusters: An Intermediate in the Formation of a Two-Electron Copper Superatom. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2002544. [PMID: 33113288 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Highly reactive copper-dihydride clusters, [Cu15 (H)2 (S2 CNR2 )6 (C2 Ph)6 ](PF6 ) {R = n Bu (1H ), n Pr (2H ), i Bu (3H )}, are isolated during the reaction of [Cu28 H15 {S2 CNn Bu2 }12 ](PF6 ) with ten equivalents of phenylacetylene. They are found to be intermediates in the formation of the earlier reported two-electron superatom [Cu13 (S2 CNR2 )6 (C2 Ph)4 ]+ . Better yields are obtained by reacting dithiocarbamate sodium salts, [Cu(CH3 CN)4 ](PF6 ), BH4- and phenylacetylene. The presence of two hydrides in the isolated clusters is confirmed by the synthesis and characterization of its deuteride analogue [Cu15 (D)2 (S2 CNR2 )6 (C2 Ph)6 ]+ , and a single-crystal neutron structure of 2H . Structural characterization of 1H reveals a new bicapped icosahedral copper(I) cage encapsulating a linear copper dihydride (CuH2 )- unit. Reaction of 3H with Au(I) salts yields a highly luminescent [AuCu12 (S2 CNi Bu2 )6 (C2 Ph)4 ]+ cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumarvarma Chakrahari
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien, 974301, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, India
| | - Jingping Liao
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien, 974301, Taiwan
| | - Rhone P Brocha Silalahi
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien, 974301, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hao Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien, 974301, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Hong Liao
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien, 974301, Taiwan
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Neutron Scattering Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Samia Kahlal
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, Rennes, F-35000, France
| | | | - C W Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd. Shoufeng, Hualien, 974301, Taiwan
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Baghdasaryan A, Bürgi T. Copper nanoclusters: designed synthesis, structural diversity, and multiplatform applications. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:6283-6340. [PMID: 33885518 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr08489a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have gained tremendous research interest in recent years due to their extraordinary properties. The molecular-like properties that originate from the quantized electronic states provide novel opportunities for the construction of unique nanomaterials possessing rich molecular-like absorption, luminescence, and magnetic properties. The field of monolayer-protected metal nanoclusters, especially copper, with well-defined molecular structures and compositions, is relatively new, about two to three decades old. Nevertheless, the massive progress in the field illustrates the importance of such nanoobjects as promising materials for various applications. In this respect, nanocluster-based catalysts have become very popular, showing high efficiencies and activities for the catalytic conversion of chemical compounds. Biomedical applications of clusters are an active research field aimed at finding better fluorescent contrast agents, therapeutic pharmaceuticals for the treatment and prevention of diseases, the early diagnosis of cancers and other potent diseases, especially at early stages. A huge library of structures and the compositions of copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) with atomic precisions have already been discovered during last few decades; however, there are many concerns to be addressed and questions to be answered. Hopefully, in future, with the combined efforts of material scientists, inorganic chemists, and computational scientists, a thorough understanding of the unique molecular-like properties of metal nanoclusters will be achieved. This, on the other hand, will allow the interdisciplinary researchers to design novel catalysts, biosensors, or therapeutic agents using highly structured, atomically precise, and stable CuNCs. Thus, we hope this review will guide the reader through the field of CuNCs, while discussing the main achievements and improvements, along with challenges and drawbacks that one needs to face and overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ani Baghdasaryan
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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Liao J, Chang H, Fang C, Liu CW. T‐symmetric 40‐nucleus silver clusters assembled by hetero‐anions. J CHIN CHEM SOC-TAIP 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jccs.202000071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian‐Hong Liao
- Department of Chemistry National Dong Hwa University Hualien Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Hao‐Wei Chang
- Department of Chemistry National Dong Hwa University Hualien Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Ching‐Shiang Fang
- Department of Chemistry National Dong Hwa University Hualien Taiwan R.O.C
| | - C. W. Liu
- Department of Chemistry National Dong Hwa University Hualien Taiwan R.O.C
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