Experimental High-Resolution Observation of the Truncated Double-Icosahedron Structure: A Stable Twinned Shell in Alloyed Au-Ag Core@Shell Nanoparticles

Given the binary nature of nanoalloy systems, their properties are dependent on their size, shape, structure, composition, and chemical ordering. When energy and entropic factors for shapes and structure variations are considered in nanoparticle growth, the spectra of shapes become so vast that even metastable arrangements have been reported under ambient conditions. Experimental and theoretical variations of multiply twinned particles have been observed, from the Ino and Marks decahedra to polyicosahedra and polydecahedra with comparable energetic stability among them. Herein, we report the experimental production of a stable doubly truncated double-icosahedron structure (TdIh) in Au-Ag nanoparticles, in which a twinned Ag-rich alloyed shell is reconstructed on a Au-Ag alloyed Ino-decahedral core. The structure, chemical composition, and growth pathway are proposed on the basis of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis and excess energy calculations, while its structural stability is estimated by large-scale atomic molecular dynamics simulations. This novel nanostructure differs from other structures previously reported.

Role of transition metals in coinage metal nanoclusters for the remediation of toxic dyes in aqueous systems

A difficult issue in chemistry and materials science is to create metal compounds with well-defined components. Metal nanoclusters, particularly those of coinage groups (Cu, Ag, and Au), have received considerable research interest in recent years owing to the availability of atomic-level precision via joint experimental and theoretical methods, thus revealing the mechanisms in diverse nano-catalysts and functional materials. The textile sector significantly contributes to wastewater containing pollutants such as dyes and chemical substances. Textile and fabric manufacturing account for about 7 × 105 tons of wastewater annually. Approximately one thousand tons of dyes used in textile processing and finishing has been recorded as being discharged into natural streams and water bodies. Owing to the widespread environmental concerns, research has been conducted to develop absorbents that are capable of removing contaminants and heavy metals from water bodies using low-cost technology. Considering this idea, we reviewed coinage metal nanoclusters for azo and cationic dye degradation. Fluorometric and colorimetric techniques are used for dye degradation using coinage metal nanoclusters. Few reports are available on dye degradation using silver nanoclusters; and some of them are discussed in detailed herein to demonstrate the synergistic effect of gold and silver in dye degradation. Mostly, the Rhodamine B dye is degraded using coinage metals. Silver nanoclusters take less time for degradation than gold and copper nanoclusters. Mostly, H2O2 is used for degradation in gold nanoclusters. Still, all coinage metal nanoclusters have been used for the degradation due to suitable HOMO-LUMO gap, and the adsorption of a dye onto the surface of the catalyst results in the exchange of electrons and holes, which leads to the oxidation and reduction of the adsorbed dye molecule. Compared to other coinage metal nanoclusters, Ag/g-C3N4 nanoclusters displayed an excellent degradation rate constant with the dye Rhodamine B (0.0332 min-1). The behavior of doping transition metals in coinage metal nanoclusters is also reviewed herein. In addition, we discuss the mechanistic grounds for degradation, the fate of metal nanoclusters, anti-bacterial activity of nanoclusters, toxicity of dyes, and sensing of dyes.

Terpyridine isomerism as a tool for tuning red-to-NIR emissive properties in heteronuclear gold(I)-thallium(I) complexes

The polymeric linear chain [AuTl(C6Cl5)2]n reacts with three terpyridine-type ligands substituted with thiophene groups containing N-donor centres in different relative positions (L1, L2 and L3), leading to the Au(I)/Tl(I) complexes [AuTl(C6Cl5)2(L1)]n (1), [{AuTl(C6Cl5)2}2(L2)]n (2) and [AuTl(C6Cl5)2(L3)]n (3). X-Ray diffraction studies reveal that L1 acts as a chelate, while L2 and L3 act as bridging ligands, resulting in different coordination indexes for the thallium(I) centre. These structural differences strongly influence their optical properties, and while compounds 2 and 3 emit near the limit of the visible range, complex 1 emits in the infrared region. DFT calculations have also been carried out in order to determine the origin of the electronic transitions responsible for their optical properties.

Heteronuclear Gold(I)-Copper(I) Complexes with Thia- and Mixed Thia-Aza Macrocyclic Ligands: Synthesis, Structures and Optical Properties

The reactivity of the heterometallic polynuclear complexes [{Au(R)2 }2 Cu2 (MeCN)2 ]n (R=C6 F5 , C6 Cl5 ) with the thioether crowns 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane (L1, [12]aneS3 ), 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclododecane (L2, [14]aneS4 ), 1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octathiacyclotetracosane (L3, [24]aneS8 ), and the quinoline functionalized pendant arm derivatives of the 12-membered mixed-donor macrocycles 1-aza-,4,7,10-trithiacyclododecane ([12]aneNS3 ) and 1,7-diaza-4,10-dithiacyclododecane ([12]aneN2 S2 ), L4 and L5, respectively, was investigated in THF solution. While with L4 and L5 only ionic compounds of general formulation [Cu(L)][Au(R)2 ] were isolated and structurally characterized (none of them featuring Au⋅⋅⋅Cu interactions), with L1-L3, beside similar ionic compounds, some heteronuclear complexes of general formulation [{Au(R)2 }{Cu(L)}] and featuring Au⋅⋅⋅Cu interactions were also obtained. All of them display rather unusual non-classical C-H⋅⋅⋅Au hydrogen interactions. The complexes display in the solid state different optical properties related to their structures, which have been studied experimentally and theoretically via TD-DFT calculations. In particular, all compounds of the type [{Au(R)2 }{Cu(L)}] featuring Au⋅⋅⋅Cu metallophilic interactions display luminescence in the solid state both at room temperature (RT) and at 77 K. On the contrary, ionic compounds of general formulation [Cu(L)][Au(R)2 ], except [Cu(L4)][Au(C6 F5 )2 ], are not luminescent.

Ultrastructure and Surface Composition of Glutathione-Terminated Ultrasmall Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Alloyed Silver-Platinum Nanoparticles (2 nm)

Alloyed ultrasmall silver-platinum nanoparticles (molar ratio Ag:Pt = 50:50) were prepared and compared to pure silver, platinum, and gold nanoparticles, all with a metallic core diameter of 2 nm. They were surface-stabilized by a layer of glutathione (GSH). A comprehensive characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron diffraction (ED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS), and UV spectroscopy showed their size both in the dry and in the water-dispersed state (hydrodynamic diameter). Solution NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and DOSY) showed the nature of the glutathione shell including the number of GSH ligands on each nanoparticle (about 200 with a molecular footprint of 0.063 nm2 each). It furthermore showed that there are at least two different positions for the GSH ligand on the gold nanoparticle surface. Platinum strongly reduced the resolution of the NMR spectra compared to silver and gold, also in the alloyed nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that silver, platinum, and silver-platinum particles were at least partially oxidized to Ag(+I) and Pt(+II), whereas the gold nanoparticles showed no sign of oxidation. Platinum and gold nanoparticles were well crystalline but twinned (fcc lattice) despite the small particle size. Silver was crystalline in electron diffraction but not in X-ray diffraction. Alloyed silver-platinum nanoparticles were almost fully amorphous by both methods, indicating a considerable internal disorder.

Multifunctional Au@Ag@SiO2 Core-Shell-Shell Nanoparticles for Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering, and Photocatalysis Applications

Au@Ag@SiO₂ core-shell-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by a facile one-pot synthetic technique. The Au@Ag core size and SiO₂ shell thicknesses are readily controlled by adjusting the precursor concentration. The multilayered NPs with dielectric SiO₂ outer shells and bimetallic Au@Ag cores exhibited both the chemical stability of Au with the high scattering efficiency of Ag. Furthermore, the SiO₂ shell is beneficial to the metal-enhanced fluorescence for biomedical applications. Metal-enhanced fluorescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and photocatalytic activities of silica-coated Au@Ag, Ag, Au, and Au/Ag core-shell NPs were compared and discussed. The size and structure of Au@Ag@SiO₂ core-shell-shell NPs were optimized to maximize their optical and catalytic activities.

Synthesis of Orange-Red Emissive Au-SG and AuAg-SG Nanoclusters and Their Turn-OFF vs. Turn-ON Metal Ion Sensing

Synthesis of luminescent metal cluster for selective sensing of specific analyte with detail mechanistic understanding is very important for real world applications as well as for developing new emissive materials. In the present work, we have synthesized L-glutathione stabilized gold (Au-SG) and gold-silver bimetallic (AuAg-SG) clusters under identical experimental conditions with orange red emissive characteristics for both. Detail photo physical analysis reveals that both clusters are phosphorescent in nature with moderate quantum yield of 7% and 19% for Au-SG and AuAg-SG respectively and their excited state lifetime values are in the range of 1-2 μs. While Au-SG cluster showed luminescence quenching response (turn-off) in presence of Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions, AuAg-SG cluster showed turn-off response for Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺, but luminescent enhancement (turn-on) response for Cd²⁺ ions. The highest detection limit obtained for Cu²⁺ ion by AuAg-SG cluster is 20 nM while for Cd²⁺ ion it is 75 nM. From Time Correlated Single Photo Counting (TCSPC) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements we postulated that except Cd²⁺, all other metal ions cause aggregation of clusters through ligation with SG ligands while Cd²⁺ ion does not induce any cluster aggregation but binds to cluster surface atoms. The near constant life time values of both clusters during gradual addition of respective metal ions confirms static quenching/enhancement process through formation of stable ground state adducts.

Synthesis of metal nanoclusters and their application in Hg2+ ions detection: A review

Mercuric (Hg²⁺) ions released from human activities, natural phenomena, and industrial sources are regarded as the global pollutant of world's water. Hg²⁺ ions contaminated water has several adverse effects on human health and the environment even at low concentrations. Therefore, rapid and cost-effective method is urgently required for the detection of Hg²⁺ ions in water. Although, the current analytical methods applied for the detection of Hg²⁺ ions provide low detection limit, they are time consuming, require expensive equipment, and are not suitable for in-situ analysis. Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) consisting of several to ten metal atoms are important transition missing between single atoms and plasmonic metal nanoparticles. In addition, sub-nanometer sized MNCs possess unique electronic structures and the subsequent unusual optical, physical, and chemical properties. Because of these novel properties, MNCs as a promising material have attracted considerable attention for the construction of selective and sensitive sensors to monitor water quality. Hence this review is focused on recent advances on synthesis strategies, and optical and chemical properties of various MNCs including their applications to develop optical assay for Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solutions.

A simple strategy to enhance the luminescence of metal nanoclusters and its application for turn-on detection of 2-thiouracil and hyaluronidase

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) as promising nanomaterials for sensing applications have attracted significant attention because of their unique photoluminescence properties. However, the quantum yields of metal NCs are still relatively low when compared to conventional quantum dots and organic dyes, posing a major obstacle to their assay application. It is challenging but important to pursue a way to improve the luminescence of metal NCs. In this work, we developed a novel strategy to enhance the luminescence of silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) based on the binding with 6-aza-2-thiothymine (ATT) via Au³⁺ bridging. We studied the possible mechanism of this binding-induced luminescence enhancement and attributed it to the ligands rigidifying. Since 2-thiouracil (2-TU), a common anticancer, antithyroid, and antiviral agent, featured a similar molecular structure of ATT, this luminescence enhancement strategy can be designed to sensitive and selective turn-on detect 2-TU. As far as we know, this is the first report for the fluorescent turn-on detect 2-TU. Benefiting from the good performance of this method and the advantages of fluorescence assay, intracellular imaging of 2-TU, which has yet to be achieved based on currently developed analytical methods for 2-TU, was carried out via our approach. Moreover, to further expand the sensing application of the developed luminescence enhancement method, we constructed a universal detection platform. Taking hyaluronidase as a target, the feasibility of the detection platform was confirmed. The discoveries in this study offer a simple route to improve the optical properties of NCs and design their sensing applications.

Metal Nanostructures for Environmental Pollutant Detection Based on Fluorescence

Heavy metal ions and pesticides are extremely dangerous for human health and environment and an accurate detection is an essential step to monitor their levels in water. The standard and most used methods for detecting these pollutants are sophisticated and expensive analytical techniques. However, recent technological advancements have allowed the development of alternative techniques based on optical properties of noble metal nanomaterials, which provide many advantages such as ultrasensitive detection, fast turnover, simple protocols, in situ sampling, on-site capability and reduced cost. This paper provides a review of the most common photo-physical effects impact on the fluorescence of metal nanomaterials and how these processes can be exploited for the detection of pollutant species. The final aim is to provide readers with an updated guide on fluorescent metallic nano-systems used as optical sensors of heavy metal ions and pesticides in water.

Aggregation-Induced Emission of Au/Ag Alloy Nanoclusters for Fluorescence Detection of Inorganic Pyrophosphate and Pyrophosphatase Activity

The development of sensitive and accurate detection of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) and pyrophosphatase activity (PPase) is important as they play vital roles in biological systems. However, it is still not satisfactory for most of the analytical methods for PPi and PPase because of their Cu²⁺-dependence and poor accuracy. Although the metal ion triggered aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of metal nanoclusters (NCs) offers a new approach to design a Cu²⁺-free strategy for the accurate determination of PPi and PPase recently, current methods are all focused on utilizing pure metal NCs. Alloy NCs incorporating the advantages of diverse metal usually can achieve improved behaviors in the application, such as enhanced sensitivity and stability. In this work, glutathione stabilized alloy Au/Ag NCs were synthesized via a simple method and used for the fluorescence detection of PPi and PPase based on a Zn²⁺-regulated AIE strategy. The controlled release of Zn²⁺ by PPi and PPase could regulate the AIE of Au/Ag NCs and be employed to response PPi concentration and PPase activity. This method processes simple procedure, high sensitivity and stability, and low toxicity. In addition, we also studied the AIE behaviors of this Au/Ag NCs and offer some fundamental understanding of the AIE properties of water-soluble alloy NCs. This study not only provides a straightforward and new approach for PPi and PPase determination but a basis for further study on the AIE properties of alloy NCs and their application.

Ultrasmall gold and silver/gold nanoparticles (2 nm) as autofluorescent labels for poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (140 nm)

Ultrasmall metallic nanoparticles show an efficient autofluorescence after excitation in the UV region, combined with a low degree of fluorescent bleaching. Thus, they can be used as fluorescent labels for polymer nanoparticles which are frequently used for drug delivery. A versatile water-in-oil-in-water emulsion-evaporation method was developed to load poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles with autofluorescent ultrasmall gold and silver/gold nanoparticles (diameter 2 nm). The metallic nanoparticles were prepared by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with sodium borohydride and colloidally stabilised with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. They were characterised by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, showing a large Stokes shift of about 370 nm with excitation maxima at 250/270 nm and emission maxima at 620/640 nm for gold and silver/gold nanoparticles, respectively. The labelled PLGA nanoparticles (140 nm) were characterised by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Their uptake by HeLa cells was followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The metallic nanoparticles remained inside the PLGA particle after cellular uptake, demonstrating the efficient encapsulation and the applicability to label the polymer nanoparticle. In terms of fluorescence, the metallic nanoparticles were comparable to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC).

Supported metal and metal oxide particles with proximity effect for catalysis

External influence is essential for any change to occur in this world. Similarly, the reaction path of a chemical reaction can be changed with the addition of a catalyst from outside. Sometimes a catalyst performs better when it remains associated with an inert substance, which is called a support material (SM). Improved catalyst accomplishment arises from the 'proximity effect'. Even inert supports play a role in better product formulation or environmental remediation. In this review, it has been shown how the SM, as a nest, aids the catalyst particle synergistically to perform a good job in a chemical reaction. The structure-function relationship of SM helps in catalyst activation to some extent, and produces active centres that are difficult to fully ascertain. In the text, Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H), Mars-van Krevelen (MVK), and Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanisms are highlighted for the adsorption processes as the case may be. Again, the importance of SM for both catalyst and substrates has been consolidated here in the text. Finally, the role of the initiator and the promoter is also discussed in this review.

Photonic crystal enhanced gold-silver nanoclusters fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ ion

Luminescent nanoclusters (NCs) have attracted much attention because of their good photostability and low toxicity, however, the low quantum yield is still a deficiency, and many increasing efforts are being devoted to enhance the luminescence intensity of NCs. In this paper, a method of enhancing the fluorescent signal of gold-silver nanoclusters (AuAgNCs) by photonic crystals (PhCs) was proposed. The fluorescent intensity of AuAgNCs on PhCs can be enhanced 8.0-fold in comparison to the control sample without PhCs. Furthermore, a novel fluorescence sensor of AuAgNCs based on PhCs is used for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion in the aqueous solution, the detection limit is 0.35 nM due to the PhCs enhancement effect for the fluorescence. This proposed method may not only develop a highly sensitive method for determination of Hg²⁺ ion, but also expand the application of AuAgNCs in ultra-trace analysis.

Smart microgel-metal hybrid particles of PNIPAM-co-PAA@AgAu: synthesis, characterizations and modulated catalytic activity

Smart pH and thermoresponsive, poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide co acrylic acid) (PNIPAM-co-PAA) microgel particles are used as microreactors to prepare hybrids of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (PNIPAM-co-PAA@AgAu) using a facile two steps in situ approach. These hybrid particles are characterized using the transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-VIS spectrometer, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). TEM directly confirms the successful loading of metal nanoparticles onto microgels and the hybrid particles have a narrow size distribution. UV-VIS spectroscopy at different concentration ratios of silver/gold chloride strongly reveals the presence of plasmon peaks of both silver and gold between 10% to 25% of gold chloride concentration. DLS studies demonstrate that these hybrid microgels exhibit both pH and thermoresponsive properties comparatively with a lesser swelling than the pure microgels without loaded nanoparticles. Further, the catalytic activities of PNIPAM-co-PAA@AgAu hybrids are studied through a reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP)-to-4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of sodium borohydride at different pH. Interestingly, these hybrid particles exhibit modulating catalytic activity with variation in pH. The reduction kinetics decreases with increasing pH and the corresponding apparent rate constant exhibits two linear regimes with one at pH below pK_a and another at pH above pK_a of acrylic acid. This pH-modulated catalytic behavior of PNIPAM-co-PAA@AgAu hybrids is discussed based on pH-induced swelling/deswelling transition, the core-shell nature of microgel particles, and its intrinsic interplay with the diffusion of nitrophenols within the microgel network. Finally, our results are compared and discussed in the context of previously studied catalytic activities in different polymer-metal hybrids.

Metallophilic Au(i)⋯M(i) interactions (M = Tl, Ag) in heteronuclear complexes with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane: structural features and optical properties

New heterometallic Au(i)–M (M = Ag(i) or Tl(i)) complexes show macrocylic ligand (TACN)-directed emissive properties.

Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence Study in Aqueous Medium by Coupling Gold Nanoparticles and Fluorophores Using a Bilayer Vesicle Platform

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) display excellent plasmonic properties, which are expected to assist fluorescence enhancement for dyes, and the phenomenon is known as "metal-enhanced fluorescence" (MEF). In this study, we demonstrate AuNP-induced MEF for a modified bipyridine-based construct 4-(pyridine-2-yl)-3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline (PPQ) when it binds with biologically important Zn2+. Importantly, this phenomenon is observed under aqueous conditions in a biocompatible bilayer vesicle platform. When PPQ binds with Zn2+ to form the complex in the presence of appropriate AuNPs, MEF is evident once compared with the fluorescence intensity in the absence of AuNPs. Among the three different sizes of AuNPs used, the enhancement is observed with an average diameter of 33 nm, whereas 18 and 160 nm do not show any enhancement. A possible mechanism is ascribed to the radiating plasmons of the AuNPs, which can couple with the emission frequencies of the fluorophore under a critical distance-dependent arrangement. We witness that the enhancement in fluorescence is accompanied with a reduction in lifetime components. It is proposed that the mechanism may be predominantly derived from the enhancement of an intrinsic radiative decay rate and partly from the localized electric field effect. Overall, this work shows a rational approach to design fluorophore-metal configurations with the desired emissive properties and a basis for a useful nanophotonic technology under biological conditions.

Synthesis and properties of Au–Ag bimetallic nanoclusters with dual-wavelength emission

Au–Ag bimetallic nanoclusters with dual-wavelength emission were facilely synthesized and the generation of dual-emission was probed.

Achievement of silver-directed enhanced photophysical properties of gold nanoclusters

Silver-induced enhanced fluorescence of gold nanoclusters through a facile green synthesis.

Density-functional tight-binding approach for metal clusters, nanoparticles, surfaces and bulk: application to silver and gold

Density-functional based tight-binding (DFTB) is an efficient quantum mechanical method that can describe a variety of systems, going from organic and inorganic compounds to metallic and hybrid materials. The present topical review addresses the ability and performance of DFTB to investigate energetic, structural, spectroscopic and dynamical properties of gold and silver materials. After a brief overview of the theoretical basis of DFTB, its parametrization and its transferability, we report its past and recent applications to gold and silver systems, including small clusters, nanoparticles, bulk and surfaces, bare and interacting with various organic and inorganic compounds. The range of applications covered by those studies goes from plasmonics and molecular electronics, to energy conversion and surface chemistry. Finally, perspectives of DFTB in the field of gold and silver surfaces and NPs are outlined.

Fluorescence enhancement via varied long-chain thiol stabilized gold nanoparticles: A study of far-field effect

Metal enhanced fluorescence of carbon dots has been reported in aqueous solution. Moderately fluorescing carbon dots (λ_ex=360nm and λ_em=440nm) of 6-8nm diameters (CDA) have been synthesized from freshly prepared aqueous ascorbic acid solution under modified hydrothermal treatment. The CDA fluorescence is quenched at the close proximity with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Here, a substrate specific near-field electric field distribution is pronounced. Anticipating distance dependent fluorescence enhancement phenomenon, long-chain aliphatic thiol capped AuNPs are introduced to improve fluorescence of moderately fluorescing CDAs. The long-chain aliphatic thiols act as spacers between CDA and AuNP. Interestingly, the fluorescence of CDA is observed to be enhanced successively as the chain lengths of aliphatic thiols are increased. Fluorescing CDA, upon excitation, transfers energy to the nearby AuNP and a plasmon is induced. This plasmon radiates in the far-field resulting in fluorescence enhancement of CDAs. Such an interesting enhancement in emission with metallic gold is termed as gold enhanced fluorescence. This far-field effect for fluorescence enhancement of CDA particles becomes a general consensus in solution with varied long-chain aliphatic amine ligand capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Finally, consequence of far-field effect of fluorescence enhancement has been observed while derivatized AuNP and AgNP are introduced into the CDA solution simultaneously which is described as reinforced fluorescence enhancement due to coupled plasmonic radiation.

Ag–Au bimetallic nanocomposites stabilized with organic–inorganic hybrid microgels: synthesis and their regulated optical and catalytic properties

Ag–Au bimetallic nanocomposites stabilized with organic–inorganic hybrid microgels allowed the mass transfer of reactants to be controlled by temperature modulation.

Synthesis of highly fluorescent Cu/Au bimetallic nanoclusters and their application in a temperature sensor and fluorescent probe for chromium(iii) ions

Bimetallic nanoclusters (BNCs) have attracted great attention due to their cooperative electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. Here, a novel one-step synthetic method is presented to prepare highly fluorescent bimetallic copper–gold nanoclusters (Cu/Au BNCs) in ambient conditions by using glutathione (GSH) as both the reducing agent and the protective layer preventing the aggregation of the as-formed NCs. The resultant Cu/Au BNCs are uniformly dispersed, with an average diameter of 1.5 nm, and it exhibits emission at 450 nm with excitation at 380 nm. Interestingly, the fluorescence signal of the Cu/Au BNCs is reversibly responsive to the environmental temperature, and it shows good sensitivity in the range of 20–70 °C (F = −23.96T + 3149.2 (R = 0.94)). Furthermore, it was found that the fluorescence of Cu/Au BNCs was quenched selectively by Cr³⁺, and a detection method was further developed with detection linear range from 50 nM to 1 mM (F = −174.85[Cr³⁺] + 1686.69 (R = 0.98)) and high sensitivity (LOD = 10 nM, S/N = 3).

The Cu/Au BNCs have been successfully synthesized as a temperature sensor and it successful detection Cr³⁺.

Solvent Polarity-Dependent Behavior of Aliphatic Thiols and Amines toward Intriguingly Fluorescent AuAgGSH Assembly

Highly stable fluorescent glutathione (GSH)-protected AuAg assembly has been synthesized in water under UV irradiation. The assembly is composed of small Ag₂/Ag₃ clusters. These clusters gain stability through synergistic interaction with Au(I) present within the assembly. This makes the overall assembly fluorescent. Here, GSH acts as a reducing as well as stabilizing agent. The assembly is so robust that it can be vacuum-dried to solid particles. The as-obtained solid is dispersible in nonaqueous solvents. The interaction between solvent and the assembly provides stability to the assembly, and the assembly shows fluorescence. It is interesting to see that the behavior of long-chain aliphatic thiols or amines toward the fluorescent assembly is altogether a different phenomenon in aqueous and nonaqueous mediums. The assembly gets ruptured in water due to direct interaction with long-chain thiols or amines, whereas in nonaqueous medium, solvation of added thiols or amines becomes pronounced, which hinders the interaction of solvent with the assembly. However, the fluorescence of the assembly is always quenched with thiols or amines no matter what the solvent medium is. In aqueous medium, the fluorescence quenching by aliphatic thiol or amine becomes pronounced with successive decrease in their chain length, whereas in nonaqueous medium, the trend is just reversed with chain length. The reasons behind such an interesting reversal of fluorescence quenching in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents have been discussed explicitly. Again, in organic solvents, thiol or amine-induced quenched fluorescence is selectively recovered by Pb(II) ion without any alteration of excitation and emission maxima. This phenomenon is not observed in water because of the ruptured fluorescent assembly. The fluorescence recovery by Pb(II) and unaltered emission peak only in nonaqueous solvent unequivocally prove the engagement of Pb(II) with thiols or amines, which in turn revert the original solvent-supported stabilization of the assembly.

Synthesis of Positively Charged Photoluminescent Bimetallic Au-Ag Nanoclusters by Double-Target Sputtering Method on a Biocompatible Polymer Matrix

Herein, we report a novel positively charged photoluminescent Au-Ag bimetallic nanocluster synthesized using 11-mercaptoundecyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide as the capping ligand by means of "green" double-target sputtering method on a biocompatible polymer matrix. The photoluminescent Au-Ag bimetallic cluster showed emission tunability from blue to near infrared (NIR) regions with respect to change in the composition.

"Quantized" Doping of Individual Colloidal Nanocrystals Using Size-Focused Metal Quantum Clusters

The insertion of intentional impurities, commonly referred to as doping, into colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is a powerful paradigm for tailoring their electronic, optical, and magnetic behaviors beyond what is obtained with size-control and heterostructuring motifs. Advancements in colloidal chemistry have led to nearly atomic precision of the doping level in both lightly and heavily doped QDs. The doping strategies currently available, however, operate at the ensemble level, resulting in a Poisson distribution of impurities across the QD population. To date, the synthesis of monodisperse ensembles of QDs individually doped with an identical number of impurity atoms is still an open challenge, and its achievement would enable the realization of advanced QD devices, such as optically/electrically controlled magnetic memories and intragap state transistors and solar cells, that rely on the precise tuning of the impurity states (i.e., number of unpaired spins, energy and width of impurity levels) within the QD host. The only approach reported to date relies on QD seeding with organometallic precursors that are intrinsically unstable and strongly affected by chemical or environmental degradation, which prevents the concept from reaching its full potential and makes the method unsuitable for aqueous synthesis routes. Here, we overcome these issues by demonstrating a doping strategy that bridges two traditionally orthogonal nanostructured material systems, namely, QDs and metal quantum clusters composed of a "magic number" of atoms held together by stable metal-to-metal bonds. Specifically, we use clusters composed of four copper atoms (Cu₄) capped with d-penicillamine to seed the growth of CdS QDs in water at room temperature. The elemental analysis, performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, side by side with optical spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements, indicates that each Cu:CdS QD in the ensemble incorporates four Cu atoms originating from one Cu₄ cluster, which acts as a "quantized" source of dopant impurities.

Synthesis of Monometallic (Au and Pd) and Bimetallic (AuPd) Nanoparticles Using Carbon Nitride (C3N4) Quantum Dots via the Photochemical Route for Nitrophenol Reduction

In this study, we report the synthesis of monometallic (Au and Pd) and bimetallic (AuPd) nanoparticles (NPs) using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) quantum dots (QDs) and photochemical routes. Eliminating the necessity of any extra stabilizer or reducing agent, the photochemical reactions have been carried out using a UV light source of 365 nm where C₃N₄ QD itself functions as a suitable stabilizer as well as a reducing agent. The g-C₃N₄ QDs are excited upon irradiation with UV light and produce photogenerated electrons, which further facilitate the reduction of metal ions. The successful formation of Au, Pd, and AuPd alloy nanoparticles is evidenced by UV-vis, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photon spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The morphology and distribution of metal nanoparticles over the C₃N₄ QD surface has been systematically investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and SAED analysis. To explore the catalytic activity of the as-prepared samples, the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol with excellent performance is also investigated. It is noteworthy that the synthesis of both monometallic and bimetallic NPs can be accomplished by using a very small amount of g-C₃N₄, which can be used as a promising photoreducing material as well as a stabilizer for the synthesis of various metal nanoparticles.

Metal-based quantum dots: synthesis, surface modification, transport and fate in aquatic environments and toxicity to microorganisms

The intense interest in metal-based QDs is diluted by the fact that they cause risks to aquatic environments.