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Liu X, Ki T, Deng G, Yoo S, Lee K, Lee BH, Hyeon T, Bootharaju MS. Recent advances in synthesis and properties of silver nanoclusters. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:12329-12344. [PMID: 38860477 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01788a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Achieving atomic precision in nanostructured materials is essential for comprehending formation mechanisms and elucidating structure-property relationships. Within the realm of nanoscience and technology, atomically precise ligand-protected noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) have emerged as a rapidly expanding area of interest. These clusters manifest quantum confinement-induced optoelectronic, photophysical, and chemical properties, along with remarkable catalytic capabilities. Among coinage metals, silver distinguishes itself for the fabrication of stable nanoclusters, primarily due to its cost-effectiveness compared to gold. This minireview provides an overview of recent advancements since 2020 in synthetic methodologies and ligand selections toward attaining NCs boasting a minimum of two free valence electrons. Additionally, it explores strategies for fine-tuning optical properties. The discussion extends to surface reactivity, elucidating how exposure to ligands, heat, and light induces transformations in size and structure. Of paramount significance are the applications of silver NCs in catalytic reactions for energy and chemical conversion, supplemented by in-depth mechanistic insights. Furthermore, the review delineates challenges and outlines future directions in the NC field, with an eye toward the design of new functional materials and prospective applications in diverse technologies, including optoelectronics, energy conversion, and fine chemical synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Liu
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyoung Ki
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Guocheng Deng
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungwoo Yoo
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kangjae Lee
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Hoon Lee
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeghwan Hyeon
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Megalamane S Bootharaju
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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Li LJ, Mu WL, Tian YQ, Yu WD, Li LY, Yan J, Liu C. Ag 1+ incorporation via a Zr 4+-anchored metalloligand: fine-tuning catalytic Ag sites in Zr/Ag bimetallic clusters for enhanced eCO 2RR-to-CO activity. Chem Sci 2024; 15:7643-7650. [PMID: 38784741 PMCID: PMC11110141 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc07005k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Attaining meticulous dominion over the binding milieu of catalytic metal sites remains an indispensable pursuit to tailor product selectivity and elevate catalytic activity. By harnessing the distinctive attributes of a Zr4+-anchored thiacalix[4]arene (TC4A) metalloligand, we have pioneered a methodology for incorporating catalytic Ag1+ sites, resulting in the first Zr-Ag bimetallic cluster, Zr2Ag7, which unveils a dualistic configuration embodying twin {ZrAg3(TC4A)2} substructures linked by an {AgSal} moiety. This cluster unveils a trinity of discrete Ag sites: a pair ensconced within {ZrAg3(TC4A)2} subunits and one located between two units. Expanding the purview, we have also crafted ZrAg3 and Zr2Ag2 clusters, meticulously mimicking the two Ag site environment inherent in the {ZrAg3(TC4A)2} monomer. The distinct structural profiles of Zr2Ag7, ZrAg3, and Zr2Ag provide an exquisite foundation for a precise comparative appraisal of catalytic prowess across three Ag sites intrinsic to Zr2Ag7. Remarkably, Zr2Ag7 eclipses its counterparts in the electroreduction of CO2, culminating in a CO faradaic efficiency (FECO) of 90.23% at -0.9 V. This achievement markedly surpasses the performance metrics of ZrAg3 (FECO: 55.45% at -1.0 V) and Zr2Ag2 (FECO: 13.09% at -1.0 V). Utilizing in situ ATR-FTIR, we can observe reaction intermediates on the Ag sites. To unveil underlying mechanisms, we employ density functional theory (DFT) calculations to determine changes in free energy accompanying each elementary step throughout the conversion of CO2 to CO. Our findings reveal the exceptional proficiency of the bridged-Ag site that interconnects paired {ZrAg3(TC4A)2} units, skillfully stabilizing *COOH intermediates, surpassing the stabilization efficacy of the other Ag sites located elsewhere. The invaluable insights gleaned from this pioneering endeavor lay a novel course for the design of exceptionally efficient catalysts tailored for CO2 reduction reactions, emphatically underscoring novel vistas this research unshrouds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Jun Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University Changsha 410083 Hunan P. R. China
| | - Wen-Lei Mu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University Changsha 410083 Hunan P. R. China
| | - Yi-Qi Tian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University Changsha 410083 Hunan P. R. China
| | - Wei-Dong Yu
- China College of Science, Hunan University of Technology and Business Changsh 410000 P. R. China
| | - Lan-Yan Li
- China College of Science, Hunan University of Technology and Business Changsh 410000 P. R. China
| | - Jun Yan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University Changsha 410083 Hunan P. R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University Changsha 410083 Hunan P. R. China
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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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Wang Z, Zhao H, Li YZ, Zhang C, Gupta RK, Tung CH, Sun D. Thiacalix[4]arene-Protected Silver Nanoclusters Encapsulating Different Two-Electron Superatom Oligomers. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:458-465. [PMID: 38148139 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The subvalent silver kernel represents the nascent state of silver cluster formation, yet the growth mechanism has long been elusive. Herein, two silver nanoclusters (Ag30 and Ag34) coprotected by TC4A4- (H4TC4A = p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene) and TBPMT- (TBPMTH = 4-tert-butylbenzenemethanethiol) containing 6e and 4e silver kernels are synthesized and characterized. The trimer of the 2e superatom Ag14 kernel in Ag30 is built from a central Ag6 octahedron sandwiched by two orthogonally oriented Ag5 trigonal bipyramids through sharing vertexes, whereas a double-octahedral Ag10 kernel in Ag34 is a dimer of 2e superatoms. They manifest disparate polyhedron fusion growth patterns at the beginning of the silver cluster formation. Their excellent solution stabilities are contributed by the multisite and multidentate coordination fashion of TC4A4- and the special valence electron structures. This work demonstrates the precise control of silver kernel growth by the solvent strategy and lays a foundation for silver nanocluster application in photothermal conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Zhou Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan 250353, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengkai Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Rakesh Kumar Gupta
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250100, 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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