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Li S, Li NN, Dong XY, Zang SQ, Mak TCW. Chemical Flexibility of Atomically Precise Metal Clusters. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7262-7378. [PMID: 38696258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Ligand-protected metal clusters possess hybrid properties that seamlessly combine an inorganic core with an organic ligand shell, imparting them exceptional chemical flexibility and unlocking remarkable application potential in diverse fields. Leveraging chemical flexibility to expand the library of available materials and stimulate the development of new functionalities is becoming an increasingly pressing requirement. This Review focuses on the origin of chemical flexibility from the structural analysis, including intra-cluster bonding, inter-cluster interactions, cluster-environments interactions, metal-to-ligand ratios, and thermodynamic effects. In the introduction, we briefly outline the development of metal clusters and explain the differences and commonalities of M(I)/M(I/0) coinage metal clusters. Additionally, we distinguish the bonding characteristics of metal atoms in the inorganic core, which give rise to their distinct chemical flexibility. Section 2 delves into the structural analysis, bonding categories, and thermodynamic theories related to metal clusters. In the following sections 3 to 7, we primarily elucidate the mechanisms that trigger chemical flexibility, the dynamic processes in transformation, the resultant alterations in structure, and the ensuing modifications in physical-chemical properties. Section 8 presents the notable applications that have emerged from utilizing metal clusters and their assemblies. Finally, in section 9, we discuss future challenges and opportunities within this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Li
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Na-Na Li
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Xi-Yan Dong
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Shuang-Quan Zang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Thomas C W Mak
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
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Zou X, Kang X, Zhu M. Recent developments in the investigation of driving forces for transforming coinage metal nanoclusters. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:5892-5967. [PMID: 37577838 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00876a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Metal nanoclusters serve as an emerging class of modular nanomaterials. The transformation of metal nanoclusters has been fully reflected in their studies from every aspect, including the structural evolution analysis, physicochemical property regulation, and practical application promotion. In this review, we highlight the driving forces for transforming atomically precise metal nanoclusters and summarize the related transforming principles and fundamentals. Several driving forces for transforming nanoclusters are meticulously reviewed herein: ligand-exchange-induced transformations, metal-exchange-induced transformations, intercluster reactions, photochemical transformations, oxidation/reduction-induced transformations, and other factors (intrinsic instability, pH, temperature, and metal salts) triggering transformations. The exploitation of transforming principles to customize the preparations, structures, physicochemical properties, and practical applications of metal nanoclusters is also disclosed. At the end of this review, we provide our perspectives and highlight the challenges remaining for future research on the transformation of metal nanoclusters. Our intended audience is the broader scientific community interested in metal nanoclusters, and we believe that this review will provide researchers with a comprehensive synthetic toolbox and insights on the research fundamentals needed to realize more cluster-based nanomaterials with customized compositions, structures, and properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejuan Zou
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China.
| | - Xi Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China.
| | - Manzhou Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China.
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Das AK, Biswas S, Manna SS, Pathak B, Mandal S. Solvent-Dependent Photophysical Properties of a Semiconducting One-Dimensional Silver Cluster-Assembled Material. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:18234-18241. [PMID: 34747176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c02867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Unraveling the total structure of the atom-precise silver cluster-assembled materials (CAMs) is extremely significant to elucidating the structure-property correlation, but it is a very challenging task. Herein, a new silver CAM is synthesized by a facile synthetic pathway with a unique distorted elongated square-bipyramid-based Ag11 core geometry. The core is protected by two different kinds of the surface protecting ligands (adamantanethiolate and trifluoroacetate) and connected through a bidentate organic linker. The crystallographic data show that this material embraces a one-dimensional periodic structure that orchestrates by various noncovalent interactions to build a thermally stable supramolecular assembly. Further characterization confirms its n-type semiconducting property with an optical band gap of 1.98 eV. The impact of an adamantanethiol-protected silver core on the optical properties of this type of periodic framework is analyzed by the UV-vis absorbance and emission phenomena. Theoretical calculations predicted that the occupied states are majorly contributed by Ag-S. Solvent-dependent photoluminescence studies proved that a polar solvent can significantly perturb the metal thiolate and thiolate-centered frontier molecular orbitals that are involved in the electronic transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Kumar Das
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 69551, India
| | - Sourav Biswas
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 69551, India
| | - Surya Sekhar Manna
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453552, India
| | - Biswarup Pathak
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453552, India
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Chai OJH, Liu Z, Chen T, Xie J. Engineering ultrasmall metal nanoclusters for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic applications. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:20437-20448. [PMID: 31657426 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr07272a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In view of many of the fundamental properties of ultrasmall noble metal nanoclusters progressively being uncovered, it has become increasingly clear that this class of materials has enormous potential for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic applications due to their unique electronic and optical properties. In this Minireview, we highlight the key electronic and optical properties of metal nanoclusters which are essential to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. We further use these properties as the basis for our discussion to map out directions or principles for the rational design of high performance photocatalysts and electrocatalysts, highlighting several successful attempts along this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osburg Jin Huang Chai
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore.
| | - Zhihe Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore. and Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, P. R. China
| | - Tiankai Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore.
| | - Jianping Xie
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore. and Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, P. R. China
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Abbas MA, Yoon SJ, Kim H, Lee J, Kamat PV, Bang JH. Ag(I)-Thiolate-Protected Silver Nanoclusters for Solar Cells: Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Look into the Photoelectrode/Electrolyte Interface. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:12492-12503. [PMID: 30838846 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic low stability and short excited lifetimes associated with Ag nanoclusters (NCs) are major hurdles that have prevented the full utilization of the many advantages of Ag NCs over their longtime contender, Au NCs, in light energy conversion systems. In this report, we diagnosed the problems of conventional thiolated Ag NCs used for solar cell applications and developed a new synthesis route to form aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-type Ag NCs that can significantly overcome these limitations. A series of Ag(0)/Ag(I)-thiolate core/shell-structured NCs with different core sizes were explored for photoelectrodes, and the nature of the two important interfacial events occurring in Ag NC-sensitized solar cells (photoinduced electron transfer and charge recombination) were unveiled by in-depth spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses. This work reveals that the subtle interplay between the light absorbing capability, charge separation dynamics, and charge recombination kinetics in the photoelectrode dictates the solar cell performance. In addition, we demonstrate significant improvement in the photocurrent stability and light conversion efficiency that have not been achieved previously. Our comprehensive understanding of the critical parameters that limit the light conversion efficiency lays a foundation on which new principles for designing Ag NCs for efficient light energy conversion can be built.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad A Abbas
- Nanosensor Research Institute , Hanyang University , 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro , Sangnok-gu, Ansan , Gyeonggi-do 15588 , Republic of Korea
| | - Seog Joon Yoon
- Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46556 , United States
| | - Hahkjoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry , Duksung Women's University , Seoul 01369 , Republic of Korea
| | | | - Prashant V Kamat
- Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46556 , United States
| | - Jin Ho Bang
- Nanosensor Research Institute , Hanyang University , 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro , Sangnok-gu, Ansan , Gyeonggi-do 15588 , Republic of Korea
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Niihori Y, Yoshida K, Hossain S, Kurashige W, Negishi Y. Deepening the Understanding of Thiolate-Protected Metal Clusters Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2019. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20180357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Niihori
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
| | - Kana Yoshida
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
| | - Sakiat Hossain
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
| | - Wataru Kurashige
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
- Photocatalysis International Research Center, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Yuichi Negishi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
- Photocatalysis International Research Center, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
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Chakraborty I, Pradeep T. Atomically Precise Clusters of Noble Metals: Emerging Link between Atoms and Nanoparticles. Chem Rev 2017; 117:8208-8271. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1305] [Impact Index Per Article: 186.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Indranath Chakraborty
- DST Unit of Nanoscience (DST
UNS) and Thematic Unit of Excellence, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Thalappil Pradeep
- DST Unit of Nanoscience (DST
UNS) and Thematic Unit of Excellence, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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Khandelwal P, Poddar P. Fluorescent metal quantum clusters: an updated overview of the synthesis, properties, and biological applications. J Mater Chem B 2017; 5:9055-9084. [DOI: 10.1039/c7tb02320k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A brief history of metal quantum clusters, their synthesis methods, physical properties, and an updated overview of their applications is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Khandelwal
- Physical & Materials Chemistry Division
- CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune – 411008
- India
| | - Pankaj Poddar
- Physical & Materials Chemistry Division
- CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune – 411008
- India
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