Metal-nanocluster science and technology: my personal history and outlook

Abstract

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) are among the leading targets in research of nanoscale materials, and elucidation of their properties (science) and development of control techniques (technology) have been continuously studied for...

Ligand–core interaction in ligand-protected Ag25(XR)18 (X = S, Se, Te) superatoms and evaluation of the anchor atom role via relativistic DFT calculations

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Such species are desirable in devices for applications in energy, catalysis, biomedicine, and environment, among others, 9,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] providing the ability to achieve tailorable species. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Both experimental and theoretical efforts 4,30,[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] have enabled further elucidation of the inherent properties of ultrasmall nanoparticles, [43][44][45] leading to the understanding of both the structural and electronic features, usually rationalized via the divide-and-protect approach. 20,46 In this regard, [Au 25 (SR) 18 ] (R = ligand) is one of the most prototypical and recurrent ligand-protected gold clusters...…”

“…5–14 Such species are desirable in devices for applications in energy, catalysis, biomedicine, and environment, among others, 9,15–24 providing the ability to achieve tailorable species. 25–34 Both experimental and theoretical efforts 4,30,35–42 have enabled further elucidation of the inherent properties of ultrasmall nanoparticles, 43–45 leading to the understanding of both the structural and electronic features, usually rationalized via the divide-and-protect approach. 20,46…”

Co-reactant-Free Transformation in Atomically Precise Metal Nanoclusters

“…18−22 There are several examples where LEIST brings forth opportunities in functionalizing and tailoring the surface structure via understanding the gradual structural change in the parent NCs when treated at high temperature with excess free ligands. 23−25 For example, an extensive ligand exchange on Au 25 (SR) 18 NC with different thiolate ligands showed that Au 25 could accommodate a wide variety of thiolate ligands. 26−29 Ligand exchange performed on the Au 25 (SG) 18 (SG = glutathione) NC with functionalized glutathione also revealed modulated optical properties of Au 25 (SG) 18 .…”

“…23−25 For example, an extensive ligand exchange on Au 25 (SR) 18 NC with different thiolate ligands showed that Au 25 could accommodate a wide variety of thiolate ligands. 26−29 Ligand exchange performed on the Au 25 (SG) 18 (SG = glutathione) NC with functionalized glutathione also revealed modulated optical properties of Au 25 (SG) 18 . 30 The observation of enhancement in stability of Au 25 (SR) 18 NC upon ligand exchange with selenolate ligand underlies the importance of LEIST in obtaining desired properties.…”

“…26−29 Ligand exchange performed on the Au 25 (SG) 18 (SG = glutathione) NC with functionalized glutathione also revealed modulated optical properties of Au 25 (SG) 18 . 30 The observation of enhancement in stability of Au 25 (SR) 18 NC upon ligand exchange with selenolate ligand underlies the importance of LEIST in obtaining desired properties. 31,32 A rapid ligand exchange on the [Ag 44 (SR) 30 ] 4− NC with a variety of thiolates was reported by Bakr and coworkers.…”