1
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Han W, Wang G, Liu P, Li W, Xu WW. Structural predictions of three medium-sized thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters Au 44(SR) 30, Au 56(SR) 32, and Au 60(SR) 34. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:4464-4469. [PMID: 37638170 PMCID: PMC10448351 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00372h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge of structural evolution among thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters is not only helpful for understanding their structure-property relationship but also provides scientific evidence to rule-guided structure predictions of gold nanoclusters. In this paper, three new atomic structures of medium-sized thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, i.e. Au44(SR)30, Au56(SR)32, and Au60(SR)34, are predicted based on the grand unified model and ring model. Two structural evolution rules, i.e., Au44(SR)28 + [Au12(SR)4] → Au56(SR)32 + [Au12(SR)4] → Au68(SR)36 and Au44(SR)30 + [Au8(SR)2] → Au52(SR)32 + [Au8(SR)2] → Au60(SR)34 + [Au8(SR)2] → Au68(SR)36, are explored. The generic growth patterns underlying both sequences of nanoclusters can be viewed as sequential addition of four and three highly stable tetrahedral Au4 units on the cores, respectively. In addition, density functional theory calculations show that these three newly predicted gold nanoclusters have very close formation energies with their adjacent structures, large highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gaps, and all-positive harmonic vibration frequencies, indicating their high stabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Han
- College of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering Urumqi 830023 China
| | - Gang Wang
- College of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering Urumqi 830023 China
| | - Pengye Liu
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University Ningbo 315211 China
| | - Wenliang Li
- College of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering Urumqi 830023 China
| | - Wen Wu Xu
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University Ningbo 315211 China
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2
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Zhang C, Ding M, Ren Y, Ma A, Yin Z, Ma X, Wang S. The smallest superatom Au 4(PPh 3) 4I 2 with two free electrons: synthesis, structure analysis, and electrocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to CO. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:3287-3292. [PMID: 37325530 PMCID: PMC10262971 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00191a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) have emerged as a new class of ultrasmall nanoparticles with both free valence electrons and precise structures (from the metal core to the organic ligand shell) and provide great opportunities to understand the relationship between their structures and properties, such as electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) performance, at the atomic level. Herein, we report the synthesis and the overall structure of the phosphine and iodine co-protected Au4(PPh3)4I2 (Au4) NC, which is the smallest multinuclear Au superatom with two free e- reported so far. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals a tetrahedral Au4 core stabilized by four phosphines and two iodides. Interestingly, the Au4 NC exhibits much higher catalytic selectivity for CO (FECO: > 60%) at more positive potentials (from -0.6 to -0.7 V vs. RHE) than Au11(PPh3)7I3 (FECO: < 60%), a larger 8 e- superatom, and Au(i)PPh3Cl complex; whereas the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) dominates the electrocatalysis when the potential becomes more negative (FEH2 of Au4 = 85.8% at -1.2 V vs. RHE). Structural and electronic analyses reveal that the Au4 tetrahedron becomes unstable at more negative reduction potentials, resulting in decomposition and aggregation, and consequently the decay in catalytic performance of Au based catalysts towards the eCO2RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Mei Ding
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Yonggang Ren
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Along Ma
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Zhengmao Yin
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Xiaoshuang Ma
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Shuxin Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266042 Shandong P. R. China
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3
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Peng J, Pei Y. Exploration of the Atomic Pathway of Seed-Mediated Growth from Icosahedral [Au 25(SR) 18] - to Bi-Icosahedral Au 38(SR) 24 and Au 44(SR) 26 Clusters Based on the 2 e- Hopping Mechanism. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:6233-6241. [PMID: 37036896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Size growth is ubiquitous in the gold nanocluster synthesis. However, the atomic-level mechanism of seed-mediated growth of gold clusters remains mysterious. In this study, the seed-mediated growth pathway from the icosahedral [Au25(SR)18]- cluster to the bi-icosahedral Au38(SR)24 and Au44(SR)26 clusters is studied based on the two-electron (2e-) hopping mechanism. First, atomic structures of three key intermediate clusters, [Au29(SR)20]-, [Au33(SR)22]-, and Au41(SR)25, are predicted based on the 2e--unit decomposition strategy. The theoretically simulated UV-Vis spectra based on the predicted structure model of [Au29(SR)20]- and [Au33(SR)22]- matched well with the experimental curves reported previously. Based on the predicted intermediate cluster structures, the size growth pathway from the eight-electron (8e-) [Au25(SR)18]- cluster to 14-electron (14e-) Au38(SR)24 and 18-electron (18e-) Au44(SR)26 clusters is determined. In the step of formation of bi-icosahedral Au38(SR)24 from icosahedral [Au25(SR)18]-, two Au4 units are first formed. The third 2e- hopping step results in formation of an icosahedron unit. The present studies offered new insights into the formation and size conversion mechanism of ligand-protected gold nanoclusters containing icosahedral cores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Peng
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan Province 411105, China
| | - Yong Pei
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan Province 411105, China
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4
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Khatun M, Paul S, Roy S, Dey S, Anoop A. Performance of Density Functionals and Semiempirical 3c Methods for Small Gold-Thiolate Clusters. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:2242-2257. [PMID: 36877153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c07561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
In light of the recent surge in computational studies of gold thiolate clusters, we present a comparison of popular density functionals (DFAs) and three-part corrected methods (3c-methods) on their performance by taking a data set named as AuSR18 consisting of 18 isomers of Aun(SCH3)m (m ≤ n = 1-3). We have compared the efficiency and accuracy of the DFAs and 3c-methods in geometry optimization with RI-SCS-MP2 as the reference method. Similarly, the performance for accurate and efficient energy evaluation was compared with DLPNO-CCSD(T) as the reference method. The lowest energy structure among the isomers of the largest stoichiometry from our data set, AuSR18, i.e., Au3(SCH3)3, is considered to evaluate the computational time for SCF and gradient evaluations. Alongside this, the numbers of optimization steps to locate the most stable minima of Au3(SCH3)3 are compared to assess the efficiency of the methods. A comparison of relevant bond lengths with the reference geometries was made to estimate the accuracy in geometry optimization. Some methods, such as LC-BLYP, ωB97M-D3BJ, M06-2X, and PBEh-3c, could not locate many of the minima found by most of the other methods; thus, the versatility in locating various minima is also an important criterion in choosing a method for the given project. To determine the accuracy of the methods, we compared the relative energies of the isomers in each stoichiometry and the interaction energy of the gold core with the ligands. The dependence of basis set size and relativistic effects on energies are also compared. The following are some of the highlights. TPSS has shown accuracy, while mPWPW shows comparable speed and accuracy. For the relative energies of the clusters, the hybrid range-separated DFAs are the best option. CAM-B3LYP excels, whereas B3LYP performs poorly. Overall, LC-BLYP is a balanced performer considering both the geometry and relative stability of the structures, but it lacks diversity. The 3c-methods, although fast, are less impressive in relative stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Khatun
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Sayan Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Saikat Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Subhasis Dey
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Anakuthil Anoop
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
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5
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Maity A, Kumar A. Higher-order assembly of BSA gold nanoclusters using supramolecular host-guest chemistry: a 40% absolute fluorescence quantum yield. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 4:2988-2991. [PMID: 36133515 PMCID: PMC9417410 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00123c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report for the first time a highly emissive higher-order assembled structure of BSA-Au NCs in the presence of cucurbit[7]uril, which enhances the absolute fluorescence quantum yield of BSA-Au NCs up to 40%. Cucurbit[7]uril neutralizes the surface charge of BSA-Au NCs, and hence aggregation happens. This aggregation shows reversible disaggregation in the presence of adamantylamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjan Maity
- Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Atul Kumar
- Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
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Liu Y, Han W, Hong Z, Xu WW, Wang E. Toward Understanding the Correlation between the Charge States and the Core Structures in Thiolate-Protected Gold Nanoclusters. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:5387-5393. [PMID: 35678557 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The charge states of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are vital to their stabilities through affecting the number of the valence electrons. However, the origin of the charge states of AuNCs has not been fully understood yet. Herein, through fulfilling the duet-rule derived Au3(2e) and Au4(2e) elementary blocks in the grand unified model (GUM), analysis on the substantial crystal structures indicates the charge states of AuNCs can correlate with their core structural packing, especially the number of Au3(2e) elementary blocks. In addition, aided by the Au3(2e) block's role in tailoring the population of valence electron, three new AuNCs including Au18(SCH3)14, Au30(SCH3)20, and [Au30(SCH3)21]- are predicted through controllably specifying the exact number of Au3(2e) in the core. This work shows that GUM can bridge the gap among the charge states of the cluster, the inner core structure of the cluster, and the detachment of outer ligands via the electron counting rule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Liu
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Wenhua Han
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Zeen Hong
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Wen Wu Xu
- Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Endong Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China
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Gratious S, Nair AS, Mukherjee S, Kachappilly N, Pathak B, Mandal S. Gold Deassembly: From Au 44(SPh- tBu) 28 to Au 36(SPh- tBu) 24 Nanocluster through Dynamic Surface Structure Reconstruction. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:10987-10993. [PMID: 34739237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Molecular level understanding of the structural growth patterns and property evolution in nanoclusters (NCs) is crucial for the design and rational synthesis of clusters for specific properties and applications. In this regard, transformation has always been a versatile approach to achieve atomic precision with atomic purity and a deeper understanding of the growth mechanisms of noble metal NCs. To the latter end, we have demonstrated a structural transformation of Au44(SPh-tBu)28 to Au36(SPh-tBu)24 NC, which occurred through the deassembly of an Au8(SPh-tBu)4 fragment. Kinetic studies conducted on the transformation showed that it follows zero-order kinetics with a low activation energy pathway. Theoretical studies demonstrated that this process happens via surface restructuring of the core-ligand interface, which was found to be the rate-determining step of this transformation. Based on this, a plausible mechanistic pathway for the transformation have been proposed which we envision, will provide useful insights into NC structure evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saniya Gratious
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum, Kerala-695551, India
| | - Akhil S Nair
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh-453552, India
| | - Sayani Mukherjee
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum, Kerala-695551, India
| | - Neha Kachappilly
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum, Kerala-695551, India
| | - Biswarup Pathak
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh-453552, India
| | - Sukhendu Mandal
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum, Kerala-695551, India
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8
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Zhang B, Chen J, Cao Y, Chai OJH, Xie J. Ligand Design in Ligand-Protected Gold Nanoclusters. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2004381. [PMID: 33511773 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202004381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The design of surface ligands is crucial for ligand-protected gold nanoclusters (Au NCs). Besides providing good protection for Au NCs, the surface ligands also play the following two important roles: i) as the outermost layer of Au NCs, the ligands will directly interact with the exterior environment (e.g., solvents, molecules and cells) influencing Au NCs in various applications; and ii) the interfacial chemistry between ligands and gold atoms can determine the structures, as well as the physical and chemical properties of Au NCs. A delicate ligand design in Au NCs (or other metal NCs) needs to consider the covalent bonds between ligands and gold atoms (e.g., gold-sulfur (Au-S) and gold-phosphorus (Au-P) bond), the physics forces between ligands (e.g., hydrophobic and van der Waals forces), and the ionic forces between the functional groups of ligands (e.g., carboxylic (COOH) and amine group (NH2 )); which form the underlying chemistry and discussion focus of this review article. Here, detailed discussions on the effects of surface ligands (e.g., thiolate, phosphine, and alkynyl ligands; or hydrophobic and hydrophilic ligands) on the synthesis, structures, and properties of Au NCs; highlighting the design principles in the surface engineering of Au NCs for diverse emerging applications, are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bihan Zhang
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, P. R. China
| | - Jishi Chen
- Shandong Sino-Japanese Center for Collaborative Research of Carbon Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yitao Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Osburg Jin Huang Chai
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Jianping Xie
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, P. R. China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
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9
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Wang P, Peng J, Pei Y. An Au 2S network model for exploring the structural origin, evolution, and two-electron (2e -) reduction growth mechanism of Au n(SR) m clusters. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:244308. [PMID: 34241338 DOI: 10.1063/5.0047886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
An Au2S network model was proposed to study the structural origin, evolution, and formation mechanism of the Aun(SR)m clusters containing quasi-face-centered-cubic (fcc) cores. The Au-S framework structures of 20 quasi-fcc gold clusters had been determined from the Au2S network. Based on the Au2S network, some new quasi-fcc clusters, such as 8e- clusters Au24(SR)16, Au26(SR)18, Au26(SR)19 -, Au29(SR)21, Au30(SR)22, and Au32(SR)24, and a class of Au24+8n(SR)20+4n (n = 1, 2, 3, …) clusters were predicted. Furthermore, by studying the evolution of Au-S frameworks, it was possible to construct molecular-like reaction equations to account for the formation mechanism of quasi-fcc gold clusters, which indicated that the formation of quasi-fcc gold clusters can be understood from the stepwise 2e--reduction cluster growth pathways. The present studies showed that the Au2S network model provided a "parental" Au-S network for exploring the structural evolution of the quasi-fcc Aun(SR)m clusters. Moreover, it was possible to study the formation pathways of the Aun(SR)m clusters by studying the evolution of their Au-S frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
| | - Jiao Peng
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
| | - Yong Pei
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
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10
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Touchton AJ, Wu G, Hayton TW. [Ni 8(CN tBu) 12][Cl]: A nickel isocyanide nanocluster with a folded nanosheet structure. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:211102. [PMID: 34240994 DOI: 10.1063/5.0054231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The reaction of 1.75 equiv of tBuNC with Ni(1,5-COD)2, followed by crystallization from benzene/pentane, resulted in the isolation of [Ni8(CNtBu)12][Cl] (2) in low yields. Similarly, the reaction of Ni(1,5-COD)2 with 0.6 equiv of [Ni(CNtBu)4], followed by addition of 0.08 equiv of I2, resulted in the formation of [Ni8(CNtBu)12][I] (3), which could be isolated in 52% yield after work-up. Both 2 and 3 adopt folded nanosheet structures in the solid state, characterized by two symmetry-related planar Ni4 arrays, six terminally bound tBuNC ligands, and six tBuNC ligands that adopt bridging coordination modes. The metrical parameters of the six bridging tBuNC ligands suggest that they have been reduced to their [tBuNC]2- form. In contrast to the nanosheet structures observed for 2 and 3, gas phase Ni8 is predicted to feature a compact bisdisphenoid ground state structure. The strikingly different structural outcomes reveal the profound structural changes that can occur upon addition of ligands to bare metal clusters. Ultimately, the characterization of 2 and 3 will enable more accurate structural predictions of ligand-protected nanoclusters in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Touchton
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, USA
| | - Guang Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, USA
| | - Trevor W Hayton
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, USA
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Ding H, Chen Z. Nanotheranostic Application of Fluorescent Protein-Gold Nanocluster Hybrid Materials: A Mini-review. Nanotheranostics 2021; 5:461-471. [PMID: 34055575 PMCID: PMC8156216 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.58060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) are a special kind of gold nanomaterial containing several gold atoms. Because of their small size and large surface area, Au NCs possess macroscopic quantum tunneling and dielectric domain effects. Furthermore, Au NCs fluorescent materials have longer luminous time and better photobleaching resistance compared with other fluorescent materials. The synthetic process of traditional Au NCs is complicated. Traditional Au NCs are prepared mainly by using polyamide amine type dendrites, and sixteen alkyl trimethylamine bromide or sulfhydryl small molecule as stabilizers. They are consequently synthesized by the reduction of strong reducing agents such as sodium borohydride. Notably, these materials are toxic and environmental-unfriendly. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more effective methods for synthesizing Au NCs via a green approach. On the other hand, the self-assembly of protein gold cluster-based materials, and their biomedical applications have become research hotspots in this field. We have been working on the synthesis, assembly and application of protein conjugated gold clusters for a long time. In this review, the synthesis and assembly of protein-gold nanoclusters and their usage in cell imaging and other medical research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ding
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.,State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.,Institute for translational medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Medical college of Qingdao University, Dengzhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Zhijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry and Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
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12
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Wu H, Fang YG, Anumula R, Andrew GN, Cui G, Fang W, Luo Z, Yao J. A mono-copper doped undeca-gold cluster with up-converted and anti-stokes emissions of fluorescence and phosphorescence. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:5300-5306. [PMID: 33660721 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07624d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We have synthesized single crystals of a highly stable Cu-doped undeca-gold cluster protected by both triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and 2-pyridinethiol (-SPy) ligands, formulated as [Au11Cu1(PPh3)7(SPy)3]+. This cluster (Au11Cu1 NCs for short) has a metallic core of C3v Au@Au10 with the Cu atom capped on one of the nine triangular facets and it is triply-coordinated to three N atoms of the SPy ligands of which the sulfur atom simultaneously binds to three adjacent Au atoms via singly-coordinated S-Au bonds, respectively. The other seven gold atoms form a crown structure by a link of three orthogons with common sides and are protected by seven PPh3 ligands. Besides the well-organized coordination, this Au11Cu1 nanocluster is demonstrated to exhibit superatom stability of the metallic core within 8 valence electrons (assuming that the 3 electrophilic-SPy ligands capture 3 electrons from the metal center). More interestingly, this Au11Cu1 nanocluster shows interesting emissions in both ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) and near infrared (NIR) regions, and the emissions display novel anti-Stokes up-conversion lasing characteristics. TD-DFT calculated UV-vis and emission spectra well reproduce the experimental results, shedding light on the nature of excitation states and underlying mechanism of electronic transitions between diverse energy levels of such a monolayer-protected bimetallic cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiming Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS) and State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100090, China.
| | - Ye-Guang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Rajini Anumula
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS) and State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100090, China.
| | - Gaya N Andrew
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS) and State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100090, China.
| | - Ganglong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Weihai Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Zhixun Luo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS) and State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100090, China.
| | - Jiannian Yao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS) and State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100090, China.
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13
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Wang J, Wang ZY, Li SJ, Zang SQ, Mak TCW. Carboranealkynyl-Protected Gold Nanoclusters: Size Conversion and UV/Vis-NIR Optical Properties. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:5959-5964. [PMID: 33314503 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202013027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Structure evolution has become an effective way to assemble novel monolayer-protected metal nanomolecules. However, evolution with alkynyl-stabilized metal clusters still remains rarely explored. Herein, we present a carboranealkynyl-protected gold nanocluster [Au28 (C4 B10 H11 )12 (tht)8 ]3+ (Au28 , tht=tetrahydrothiophene) possessing an open-shell electronic structure with 13 free electrons, which was isolated by a facile self-reduction method with 9-HC≡C-closo-1,2-C2 B10 H11 as the two-in-one reducing and protecting agent. Notably, Au28 undergoes a complete transformation in methanol into a stable and smaller-sized nanocluster [Au23 (C4 B10 H11 )9 (tht)6 ]2+ (Au23 ) bearing 12 valence electrons and crystal-field-like split superatomic 1D orbitals. The transformation process was systematically monitored with ESI-MS and UV/Vis absorption spectra. Au28 and Au23 both display optical absorption covering the UV/Vis-NIR range and NIR emission, which facilitates their potential application in the biomedical and photocatalytic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Zhao-Yang Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shi-Jun Li
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuang-Quan Zang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Thomas C W Mak
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.,Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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14
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Tang L, Deng S, Wang S, Pei Y, Zhu M. Total structural determination of alloyed Au 15.37Cu 16.63(S-Adm) 20 nanoclusters with double superatomic chains. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:2017-2020. [PMID: 33502399 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc07482a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Thiolated-alloy nanocluster Au15.37Cu16.63(S-Adm)20 ((AuCu)32 for short) has been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray crystallography (SC-XRD) proved that this cluster contains a Au14Cu6 core, which is composed of double superatom chains, two M4(SR)5 (M = Au/Cu) motifs, four Cu(SR)2 monomer staples and two SR molecules at the waist. The composition of this nanocluster is confirmed by SC-XRD and further verified by XPS, EDX and 2H-NMR. Surprisingly, double superatom chains connect to each other only via two Au-Au bonds, which makes the kernel resemble a tunnel. Combined with DFT calculation and electronic structure analysis, it is further proved that the (AuCu)32 nanocluster contains six 2e alloy superatomic Au3Cu2+ units. This work is the first report showing that superatom units (CuAu32+) self-assembling to a hollow kernel maintain the superatom characteristic of metal nanoclusters, which enriches the fundamental knowledge of metal superatom clusters. The stable electronic structure of the nanocluster provides an experimental basis for theoretical analysis in the future. In addition, the hollow structure may be promising in catalytic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Tang
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, AnHui Province, Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, P. R. China. and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Shiyao Deng
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Hunan Province, China, 411105, P. R. China.
| | - Shuxin Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, P. R. China.
| | - Yong Pei
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Hunan Province, China, 411105, P. R. China.
| | - Manzhou Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, AnHui Province, Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, P. R. China.
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15
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Wang J, Wang Z, Li S, Zang S, Mak TCW. Carboranealkynyl‐Protected Gold Nanoclusters: Size Conversion and UV/Vis–NIR Optical Properties. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202013027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Zhao‐Yang Wang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Shi‐Jun Li
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Shuang‐Quan Zang
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
| | - Thomas C. W. Mak
- Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China
- Department of Chemistry The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, New Territories Hong Kong SAR China
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16
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Wang JQ, Shi S, He RL, Yuan SF, Yang GY, Liang GJ, Wang QM. Total Structure Determination of the Largest Alkynyl-Protected fcc Gold Nanocluster Au 110 and the Study on Its Ultrafast Excited-State Dynamics. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:18086-18092. [PMID: 32985888 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c07397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Great attention has been paid to nanoclusters having face-centered-cubic (fcc) metal kernels, because of the similarity of metal packing to that of bulk gold. So far, there is no precedent example of an all-alkynyl-protected fcc gold nanocluster with more than 100 gold atoms. We report the synthesis and total structure determination of an alkynyl-protected gold nanocluster [NEt3H]2[Au110(p-CF3C6H4C≡C)48] (Au110). It has an fcc Au86 kernel with 24 peripheral Au(C≡CR)2 staples. The Au86 kernel consists of six close packing layers in the pattern of Au6:Au16:Au21:Au21:Au16:Au6. Electronic absorption spectroscopy shows Au110 has a molecular-like discrete electronic structure, and transient absorption experiments reveal its nonmetallic nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Shuang Shi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, PR China
| | - Rui-Lin He
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Shang-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Gao-Yuan Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, PR China
| | - Gui-Jie Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, PR China
| | - Quan-Ming Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
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17
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Howard-Fabretto L, Andersson GG. Metal Clusters on Semiconductor Surfaces and Application in Catalysis with a Focus on Au and Ru. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1904122. [PMID: 31854037 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201904122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metal clusters typically consist of two to a few hundred atoms and have unique properties that change with the type and number of atoms that form the cluster. Metal clusters can be generated with a precise number of atoms, and therefore have specific size, shape, and electronic structures. When metal clusters are deposited onto a substrate, their shape and electronic structure depend on the interaction with the substrate surface and thus depend on the properties of both the clusters and those of the substrate. Deposited metal clusters have discrete, individual electron energy levels that differ from the electron energy levels in the constituting individual atoms, isolated clusters, and the respective bulk material. The properties of clusters with a focus on Au and Ru, the methods to generate metal clusters, and the methods of deposition of clusters onto substrate surfaces are covered. The properties of cluster-modified surfaces are important for their application. The main application covered here is catalysis, and the methods for characterization of the cluster-modified surfaces are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Howard-Fabretto
- Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
- Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Gunther G Andersson
- Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
- Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
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18
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Maman MP, Nair AS, Cheraparambil H, Pathak B, Mandal S. Size Evolution Dynamics of Gold Nanoclusters at an Atom-Precision Level: Ligand Exchange, Growth Mechanism, Electrochemical, and Photophysical Properties. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:1781-1788. [PMID: 32064877 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Interpretation of size evolution is an essential part of nanocluster transformation processes for unraveling the mechanism at an atom-precision level. Here we report the transformation of a non-superatomic Au23 to a superatomic Au36 nanocluster via Au28 cluster formation, activated by the bulky 4-tert-butylbenzenethiol ligand. Time-dependent matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry data revealed that the conversion proceeds through ligand exchange followed by the size focusing method, ultimately leading to size growth. We also validated this transformation through time-dependent ultraviolet-visible data. Density functional theory calculations predicted that the kernel of the Au28 cluster evolved through a linear combination of molecular orbitals of the fragment of 2e- units (Au42+ and Au3+) from the kernel of the Au23 cluster. Periodic growth of gold cores through continuous growth of Au4 tetrahedral unit leads to the formation of the Au36 cluster from the Au28 cluster. These results reinforce the plausibility of size evolution through the growth mechanism during the transformation process. Differential pulse voltammetry studies showed that the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap inversely varies with the kernel size of these clusters. Photophysical experiments support the molecular-like intersystem crossing rather than core-shell relaxation to these clusters. The trends of photoluminescence lifetime were found to be the reverse of those of the energy gap law. The increment of lifetimes for the larger cluster can be mainly due to the contribution of both hot carriers and band-edge carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju P Maman
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum 695551, India
| | - Akhil S Nair
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore 453552, India
| | - Haritha Cheraparambil
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum 695551, India
| | - Biswarup Pathak
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore 453552, India
| | - Sukhendu Mandal
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P.O., Trivandrum 695551, India
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19
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One-pot synthesis of green-emitting gold nanoclusters as a fluorescent probe for determination of 4-nitrophenol. Mikrochim Acta 2020; 187:106. [DOI: 10.1007/s00604-019-4090-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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20
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Cowan MJ, Mpourmpakis G. Towards elucidating structure of ligand-protected nanoclusters. Dalton Trans 2020; 49:9191-9202. [DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01418d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Developing a centralized database for ligand-protected nanoclusters can fuel machine learning and data-science-based approaches towards theoretical structure prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Cowan
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
- University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh
- USA
| | - Giannis Mpourmpakis
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
- University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh
- USA
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21
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Weerawardene KLDM, Pandeya P, Zhou M, Chen Y, Jin R, Aikens CM. Luminescence and Electron Dynamics in Atomically Precise Nanoclusters with Eight Superatomic Electrons. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:18715-18726. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b07626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratima Pandeya
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Meng Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Rongchao Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Christine M. Aikens
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
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22
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Intra-cluster growth meets inter-cluster assembly: The molecular and supramolecular chemistry of atomically precise nanoclusters. Coord Chem Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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23
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Du Y, Sheng H, Astruc D, Zhu M. Atomically Precise Noble Metal Nanoclusters as Efficient Catalysts: A Bridge between Structure and Properties. Chem Rev 2019; 120:526-622. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 526] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Hongting Sheng
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Didier Astruc
- Université de Bordeaux, ISM, UMR CNRS 5255, Talence 33405 Cedex, France
| | - Manzhou Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
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24
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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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25
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Pei Y, Wang P, Ma Z, Xiong L. Growth-Rule-Guided Structural Exploration of Thiolate-Protected Gold Nanoclusters. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:23-33. [PMID: 30548076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the structure and structure-property relationship of atomic and ligated clusters is one of the central research tasks in the field of cluster research. In chemistry, empirical rules such as the polyhedral skeleton electron pair theory (PSEPT) approach had been outlined to account for skeleton structures of many main-group atomic and ligand-protected transition metal clusters. Nonetheless, because of the diversity of cluster structures and compositions, no uniform structural and electronic rule is available for various cluster compounds. Exploring new cluster structures and their evolution is a hot topic in the field of cluster research for both experiment and theory. In this Account, we introduce our recent progress in the theoretical exploration of structures and evolution patterns of a class of atomically precise thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters using density functional theory computations. Unlike the conventional ligand-protected transition metal compounds, the thiolate-protected gold clusters demonstrate novel metal core/ligand shell interfacial structures in which the Au m(SR) n clusters can be divided into an ordered Au(0) core and a group of oligomeric SR[Au(SR)] x ( x = 0, 1, 2, 3, ...) protection motifs. Guided by this "inherent structure rule", we have devised theoretical methods to rapidly explore cluster structures that do not necessarily require laborious global potential energy surface searches. The structural predictions of Au38(SR)24, Au24(SR)20, and Au44(SR)28 nanoclusters were completely or partially verified by the later X-ray crystallography studies. On the basis of the analysis of cluster structures determined by X-ray crystallography and theoretical prediction, a structural evolution diagram for the face-centered-cubic (fcc)-type Au m(SR) n clusters with m up to 92 has been preliminarily established. The structural evolution diagram indicates some basic structural and electronic evolution patterns of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters. The fcc Au m(SR) n clusters show a genetic structural evolution pattern in which each step of cluster size increase results in the formation of another Au4 tetrahedron or Au3 triangle unit in the Au core, and every increase of a structural unit in the Au core leads to an increase of two electrons in the whole cluster. The unique one- or two-dimensional cluster size evolution, the isomerism of the Au-S framework, and the formation of a double-helical and cyclic tetrahedron network in the fcc Au m(SR) n clusters all can be addressed from this evolution pattern. The summarized cluster structural evolution diagrams enable us to further explore more stable cluster structures and understand their structure-electronic structure-property relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Pei
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
| | - Pu Wang
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
| | - Zhongyun Ma
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
| | - Lin Xiong
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China
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26
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Du Y, Guan ZJ, Wen ZR, Lin YM, Wang QM. Ligand-Controlled Doping Effects in Alloy Nanoclusters Au4
Ag23
and Au5
Ag24. Chemistry 2018; 24:16029-16035. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201803683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Du
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Zong-Jie Guan
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Zhao-Rui Wen
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Yu-Mei Lin
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Quan-Ming Wang
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 P. R. China
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27
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Guan ZJ, Zeng JL, Yuan SF, Hu F, Lin YM, Wang QM. Au57
Ag53
(C≡CPh)40
Br12
: A Large Nanocluster with C
1
Symmetry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:5703-5707. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201801261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Jie Guan
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Jiu-Lian Zeng
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Shang-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Feng Hu
- Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Yu-Mei Lin
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Quan-Ming Wang
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 P. R. China
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28
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Guan ZJ, Zeng JL, Yuan SF, Hu F, Lin YM, Wang QM. Au57
Ag53
(C≡CPh)40
Br12
: A Large Nanocluster with C
1
Symmetry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201801261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Jie Guan
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Jiu-Lian Zeng
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Shang-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Feng Hu
- Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Yu-Mei Lin
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Quan-Ming Wang
- Department of Chemistry; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; Beijing 100084 P. R. China
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29
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Ma Z, Wang P, Xiong L, Pei Y. Thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters: structural prediction and the understandings of electronic stability from first principles simulations. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyun Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education; Xiangtan University; Xiangtan People's Republic of China
| | - Pu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education; Xiangtan University; Xiangtan People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education; Xiangtan University; Xiangtan People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Pei
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education; Xiangtan University; Xiangtan People's Republic of China
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30
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Xia N, Gan Z, Liao L, Zhuang S, Wu Z. The reactivity of phenylethanethiolated gold nanoparticles with acetic acid. Chem Commun (Camb) 2017; 53:11646-11649. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cc06210a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The size-dependent reactivity of phenylethanethiolated gold nanoparticles with acetic acid is demonstrated, and a novel nanocluster with some interesting properties is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei
| | - Zibao Gan
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei
| | - Lingwen Liao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei
| | - Shengli Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei
| | - Zhikun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei
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31
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Liao L, Yao C, Wang C, Tian S, Chen J, Li MB, Xia N, Yan N, Wu Z. Quantitatively Monitoring the Size-Focusing of Au Nanoclusters and Revealing What Promotes the Size Transformation from Au 44(TBBT) 28 to Au 36(TBBT) 24. Anal Chem 2016; 88:11297-11301. [PMID: 27934125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b03428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
"Size-focusing" is a well-recognized process and widely employed for the synthesis of atomically monodisperse metal nanoclusters. However, quantitatively monitoring the size-focusing of Au nanoclusters has not been achieved yet, and the in-depth understanding of the size focusing is far from completed. Herein, we introduce a facile, cheap, and powerful tool, preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC), to quantitatively track the size-focusing process, to reveal that mainly ∼3 nm nanoparticles promote the transformation from Au44(TBBT)28 to Au36(TBBT)24 (where TBBT is 4-tert-butylbenzenethiolate) and to improve the syntheses of Au44(TBBT)28 and Au36(TBBT)24. Our work further demonstrates the usefulness of PTLC in nanocluster research and advances one step toward understanding the "size-focusing" process of nanoclusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwen Liao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Chuanhao Yao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Chengming Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China , Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Shubo Tian
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Jishi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Man-Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Nan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Nan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
| | - Zhikun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
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32
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Conn BE, Atnagulov A, Yoon B, Barnett RN, Landman U, Bigioni TP. Confirmation of a de novo structure prediction for an atomically precise monolayer-coated silver nanoparticle. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1601609. [PMID: 28138537 PMCID: PMC5262450 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Fathoming the principles underpinning the structures of monolayer-coated molecular metal nanoparticles remains an enduring challenge. Notwithstanding recent x-ray determinations, coveted veritable de novo structural predictions are scarce. Building on recent syntheses and de novo structure predictions of M3Au x Ag17-x (TBBT)12, where M is a countercation, x = 0 or 1, and TBBT is 4-tert-butylbenzenethiol, we report an x-ray-determined structure that authenticates an a priori prediction and, in conjunction with first-principles theoretical analysis, lends force to the underlying forecasting methodology. The predicted and verified Ag(SR)3 monomer, together with the recently discovered Ag2(SR)5 dimer and Ag3(SR)6 trimer, establishes a family of unique mount motifs for silver thiolate nanoparticles, expanding knowledge beyond the earlier-known Au-S staples in thiol-capped gold nanoclusters. These findings demonstrate key principles underlying ligand-shell anchoring to the metal core, as well as unique T-like benzene dimer and cyclic benzene trimer ligand bundling configurations, opening vistas for rational design of metal and alloy nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E. Conn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Aydar Atnagulov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Bokwon Yoon
- School of Solar and Advanced Renewable Energy, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Robert N. Barnett
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332–0430, USA
| | - Uzi Landman
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332–0430, USA
- Corresponding author. (U.L.); (T.P.B.)
| | - Terry P. Bigioni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
- School of Solar and Advanced Renewable Energy, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
- Corresponding author. (U.L.); (T.P.B.)
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33
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Jin R, Zeng C, Zhou M, Chen Y. Atomically Precise Colloidal Metal Nanoclusters and Nanoparticles: Fundamentals and Opportunities. Chem Rev 2016; 116:10346-413. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1953] [Impact Index Per Article: 244.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rongchao Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Chenjie Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Meng Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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34
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Recent advances in the synthesis and catalytic applications of ligand-protected, atomically precise metal nanoclusters. Coord Chem Rev 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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35
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Chang L, Fisher A, Liu Z, Cheng D. A density functional theory study of sulfur adsorption on Ag–Au nanoalloys. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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36
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Xu WW, Li Y, Gao Y, Zeng XC. Unraveling a generic growth pattern in structure evolution of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:7396-7401. [PMID: 26986778 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr00272b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of the growth of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters is a prerequisite for their applications in catalysis and bioengineering. Here, we bring to bear a new series of thiolate-protected nanoclusters with a unique growth pattern, i.e., Au20(SR)16, Au28(SR)20, Au36(SR)24, Au44(SR)28, and Au52(SR)32. These nanoclusters can be viewed as resulting from the stepwise addition of a common structural motif [Au8(SR)4]. The highly negative values of the nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) in the center of the tetrahedral Au4 units suggest that the overall stabilities of these clusters stem from the local stability of each tetrahedral Au4 unit. Generalization of this growth-pattern rule to large-sized nanoclusters allows us to identify the structures of three new thiolate-protected nanoclusters, namely, Au60(SR)36, Au68(SR)40, and Au76(SR)44. Remarkably, all three large-sized nanoclusters possess relatively large HOMO-LUMO gaps and negative NICS values, suggesting their high chemical stability. Further extension of the growth-pattern rule to the infinitely long nanowire limit results in a one-dimensional (1D) thiolate-protected gold nanowire (RS-AuNW) with a band gap of 0.78 eV. Such a unique growth-pattern rule offers a guide for precise synthesis of a new class of large-sized thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters or even RS-AuNW which, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wu Xu
- Division of Interfacial Water and Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
| | - Yadong Li
- Division of Interfacial Water and Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China. and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Gao
- Division of Interfacial Water and Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China. and Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China and Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
| | - Xiao Cheng Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA. and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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37
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Zeng C, Chen Y, Iida K, Nobusada K, Kirschbaum K, Lambright KJ, Jin R. Gold Quantum Boxes: On the Periodicities and the Quantum Confinement in the Au₂₈, Au₃₆, Au₄₄ , and Au₅₂ Magic Series. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:3950-3. [PMID: 26934618 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Revealing the size-dependent periodicities (including formula, growth pattern, and property evolution) is an important task in metal nanocluster research. However, investigation on this major issue has been complicated, as the size change is often accompanied by a structural change. Herein, with the successful determination of the Au44(TBBT)28 structure, where TBBT = 4-tert-butylbenzenethiolate, the missing size in the family of Au28(TBBT)20, Au36(TBBT)24, and Au52(TBBT)32 nanoclusters is filled, and a neat "magic series" with a unified formula of Au8n+4(TBBT)4n+8 (n = 3-6) is identified. Such a periodicity in magic numbers is a reflection of the uniform anisotropic growth patterns in this magic series, and the n value is correlated with the number of (001) layers in the face-centered cubic lattice. The size-dependent quantum confinement nature of this magic series is further understood by empirical scaling law, classical "particle in a box" model, and the density functional theory calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjie Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Kenji Iida
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science , Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan.,Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts and Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University , Katsura, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Nobusada
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science , Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan.,Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts and Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University , Katsura, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan
| | - Kristin Kirschbaum
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Kelly J Lambright
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo , Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Rongchao Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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38
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Xu WW, Li Y, Gao Y, Zeng XC. Medium-sized Au40(SR)24 and Au52(SR)32 nanoclusters with distinct gold-kernel structures and spectroscopic features. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:1299-1304. [PMID: 26676095 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07810e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We have analyzed the structures of two medium-sized thiolate-protected gold nanoparticles (RS-AuNPs) Au40(SR)24 and Au52(SR)32 and identified the distinct structural features in their Au kernels [Sci. Adv., 2015, 1, e1500425]. We find that both Au kernels of the Au40(SR)24 and Au52(SR)32 nanoclusters can be classified as interpenetrating cuboctahedra. Simulated X-ray diffraction patterns of the RS-AuNPs with the cuboctahedral kernel are collected and then compared with the X-ray diffraction patterns of the RS-AuNPs of two other prevailing Au-kernels identified from previous experiments, namely the Ino-decahedral kernel and icosahedral kernel. The distinct X-ray diffraction patterns of RS-AuNPs with the three different types of Au-kernels can be utilized as signature features for future studies of structures of RS-AuNPs. Moreover, the simulated UV/Vis absorption spectra and Kohn-Sham orbital energy-level diagrams are obtained for the Au40(SR)24 and Au52(SR)32, on the basis of time-dependent density functional theory computation. The extrapolated optical band-edges of Au40(SR)24 and Au52(SR)32 are 1.1 eV and 1.25 eV, respectively. The feature peaks in the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the two clusters can be attributed to the d → sp electronic transition. Lastly, the catalytic activities of the Au40(SR)24 and Au52(SR)32 are examined using CO oxidation as a probe. Both medium-sized thiolate-protected gold clusters can serve as effective stand-alone nanocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wu Xu
- Division of Interfacial Water and Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
| | - Yadong Li
- Division of Interfacial Water and Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China. and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Gao
- Division of Interfacial Water and Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China. and Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Xiao Cheng Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA. and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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39
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Higaki T, Zeng C, Chen Y, Hussain E, Jin R. Controlling the crystalline phases (FCC, HCP and BCC) of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters by ligand-based strategies. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01325b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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40
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Rauhalahti M, Muñoz-Castro A, Sundholm D. Thiolate-protected golden fullerenes. A 32-ve core involving a hollow Au32cage. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra27683g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have computationally investigated the possible formation of large hollow gold nanostructures based on a Au32core covered with a thiolate layer using relativistic density functional theory calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Rauhalahti
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Helsinki
- Finland
| | - A. Muñoz-Castro
- Grupo de Química Inorgánica y Materiales Moleculares
- Universidad Autonoma de Chile
- Santiago
- Chile
| | - D. Sundholm
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Helsinki
- Finland
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41
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Zeng C, Chen Y, Das A, Jin R. Transformation Chemistry of Gold Nanoclusters: From One Stable Size to Another. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:2976-86. [PMID: 26267191 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b01150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Controlling nanoparticles with atomic precision has long been a major dream of nanochemists. This dream has first been realized in the case of gold nanoparticles. We previously discussed a size-focusing methodology for the syntheses of atomically precise gold nanoclusters protected by thiolate ligands (referred to as Aun(SR)m, where n and m represent the exact numbers of gold atoms and surface ligands). This methodology led to molecularly pure nanoclusters such as Au25(SR)18, Au38(SR)24, Au144(SR)60, and many others in recent work. In this Perspective article, we shall further discuss a new methodology for controlling the size and structure of nanoclusters through ligand-exchange-induced transformation of Aun(SR)m nanoclusters. Notable examples include the transformations of Au25(SR)18 to Au28(SR')20, Au38(SR)24 to Au36(SR')24, and Au144(SR)60 to Au133(SR')52. Total structures of the new nanoclusters have also been attained. The transformation processes are remarkable and resemble the organic transformation chemistry. We have also achieved mechanistic understanding on the transformation process, and a disproportionation mechanism has been for the first time identified. This new methodology (i.e., ligand-exchange-induced size/structure transformation, LEIST for short) has not only demonstrated the important role of thiolate ligand in the transformation chemistry of clusters but also paved the way for creating an expanded "library" of Aun(SR)m nanoclusters for exploration of their magic sizes, structures, properties, and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjie Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Anindita Das
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Rongchao Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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42
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Chen Y, Zeng C, Liu C, Kirschbaum K, Gayathri C, Gil RR, Rosi NL, Jin R. Crystal Structure of Barrel-Shaped Chiral Au130(p-MBT)50 Nanocluster. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:10076-9. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b05378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Chenjie Zeng
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Chong Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Kristin Kirschbaum
- College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Chakicherla Gayathri
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Roberto R. Gil
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Nathaniel L. Rosi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Rongchao Jin
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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43
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Takano S, Yamazoe S, Koyasu K, Tsukuda T. Slow-Reduction Synthesis of a Thiolate-Protected One-Dimensional Gold Cluster Showing an Intense Near-Infrared Absorption. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:7027-30. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b03251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shinjiro Takano
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Seiji Yamazoe
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysis and Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan
| | - Kiichirou Koyasu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysis and Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Tsukuda
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysis and Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan
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44
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Chen Y, Zeng C, Kauffman DR, Jin R. Tuning the Magic Size of Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters via Isomeric Methylbenzenethiols. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:3603-9. [PMID: 25915164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b01122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Toward controlling the magic sizes of atomically precise gold nanoclusters, herein we have devised a new strategy by exploring the para-, meta-, ortho-methylbenzenethiol (MBT) for successful preparation of pure Au130(p-MBT)50, Au104(m-MBT)41 and Au40(o-MBT)24 nanoclusters. The decreasing size sequence is in line with the increasing hindrance of the methyl group to the interfacial Au-S bond. That the subtle change of ligand structure can result in drastically different magic sizes under otherwise similar reaction conditions is indeed for the first time observed in the synthesis of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters. These nanoclusters are highly stable as they are synthesized under harsh size-focusing conditions at 80-90 °C in the presence of excess thiol and air (i.e., without exclusion of oxygen).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Chen
- †Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Chenjie Zeng
- †Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Douglas R Kauffman
- ‡National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), United States Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, United States
| | - Rongchao Jin
- †Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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45
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Fernando A, Weerawardene KLDM, Karimova NV, Aikens CM. Quantum Mechanical Studies of Large Metal, Metal Oxide, and Metal Chalcogenide Nanoparticles and Clusters. Chem Rev 2015; 115:6112-216. [PMID: 25898274 DOI: 10.1021/cr500506r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amendra Fernando
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | | | - Natalia V Karimova
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Christine M Aikens
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
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46
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Jin R. Atomically precise metal nanoclusters: stable sizes and optical properties. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:1549-65. [PMID: 25532730 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05794e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 471] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongchao Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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47
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Li MB, Tian SK, Wu Z, Jin R. Cu2+ induced formation of Au44(SC2H4Ph)32 and its high catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol at low temperature. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:4433-6. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc08830a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel nanocluster Au44(SC2H4Ph)32 exhibiting high catalytic activity at low-temperature was synthesized by an oxidation–decomposition–recombination (ODR) process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031
| | - Shi-Kai Tian
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Hefei
- China
| | - Zhikun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031
| | - Rongchao Jin
- Department of Chemistry
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh
- USA
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Zhu M, Zhou S, Yao C, Liao L, Wu Z. Reduction-resistant and reduction-catalytic double-crown nickel nanoclusters. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:14195-14199. [PMID: 25350274 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr04981k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, an attempt to synthesize zero-valent Ni nanoclusters using the Brust method resulted in an unexpected material, Ni₆(SCH₂CH₂Ph)₁₂, which is a nanoscale Ni(ii)-phenylethanethiolate complex and a hexameric, double-crown-like structure, as determined by a series of characterizations, including mass spectrometry (MS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). An interesting finding is that this complex is resistant to aqueous BH4(-). Investigations into other metal-phenylethanethiolate and Ni-thiolate complexes reveal that this property is not universal and appears only in complexes with a double-crown-like structure, indicating the correlation between this interesting property and the complexes' special structure. Another interesting finding is that the reduction-resistant Ni₆(SCH₂CH₂Ph)₁₂ exhibits remarkably higher catalytic activity than a well-known catalyst, Au₂₅(SCH₂₂Ph)₁₈, toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol at low temperature (e.g., 0 °C). This work will help stimulate more research on the properties and applications of less noble metal nanoclusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China.
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Zheng K, Yuan X, Goswami N, Zhang Q, Xie J. Recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications of ultrasmall thiolated silver nanoclusters. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra12054j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Zeng C, Liu C, Chen Y, Rosi NL, Jin R. Gold–Thiolate Ring as a Protecting Motif in the Au20(SR)16 Nanocluster and Implications. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:11922-5. [DOI: 10.1021/ja506802n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chenjie Zeng
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Chong Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Nathaniel L. Rosi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Rongchao Jin
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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