Atomically precise copper nanoclusters as ultrasmall molecular aggregates: Appealing compositions, structures, properties, and applications

Abstract

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) are ultrasmall molecular aggregates consisting of dozens to hundreds of metal atoms consolidated by organic ligands, which represent an emerging area of nanoscience. Amide a myriad of metal NCs, copper NCs (CuNCs) comprise a low‐cost, high‐value subclass that has attracted great attention. The variable copper cores and diversity of protecting ligands have rendered CuNCs interesting molecular aggregates featuring structural and compositional versatility, hence showing distinctive properties and potential applications. In the present review, we have summarized the progress on atomically precise CuNCs that exhibit a range of appealing properties and applications in different fields. This review is expected to provide not only an overview of the current development on atomically precise CuNCs, but also possible directions for the future design of novel CuNCs for fundamental studies and practical applications.

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters as catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

“…Cu is attracting attention in electrocatalytic CRRs as a unique metal catalyst that can yield a variety of products by multi-electron reduction. 319,320 Several cases of CRRs for Cu NCs, 321–323 which are summarized in Table 7, have been reported.…”

Delayed luminescence guided enhanced circularly polarized emission in atomically precise copper nanoclusters

“…7 Among the different metal nanoclusters investigated, copper clusters are of special interest, not only due to the abundance of raw materials, ease of synthesis and appealing physico-chemical properties, but also due to their potential application in the field of catalysis, electronics and biosensing. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Unlike nanoclusters based on the noble metals such as platinum, 14 gold, [15][16] and silver, 17 the synthesis and isolation of copper nanoclusters remains a challenge due to the unstable nature of copper ions towards air oxidation. However, use of surface capping ligands possessing desired functionalities can bind to the metal and act as the protecting layer resulting in robust clusters.…”

Locating Interstitial Hydrides in MH2@Cu14 (M = Cu, Ag) Clusters by Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction

“…In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on metal hydrides to explore their potential applications in diverse fields, including organic synthesis, , catalysis, − and hydrogen storage. , Our particular interest is ligand-protected copper hydride clusters, which have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable stability, structural diversity, and unique bonding features. − These copper hydride compounds have emerged as important catalysts for various organic reactions and have shown promise in electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction and electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity . To gain a comprehensive understanding of the atomic-level structure-property relationship of metal hydrides, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) is an indispensable and cost-effective technology in comparison to neutron experiments.…”