Self‐Assembly of Ag₆ Clusters into Nanowires for Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Sensing of Glucose

Abstract

Self‐assembly of metal nanoclusters into 3D ordered superstructures and the exploration of their electrochemical properties are highly significant for fundamental research and practical application. In this study, atomically precise Ag6(NALC)5 nanoclusters are successfully synthesized and their structure is determined carefully. It is interesting that the prepared Ag6(NALC)5 nanoclusters can be self‐assembled into ultrafine nanowires, long ribbons, and finally 3D porous network in the mixed solution of water and ethanol, which can be attributed to the solvent polarity, static electricity interaction between ligands, and the possible Van der Waals attractions. Such assembly phenomenon lays a foundation for the future fabrication of silver clusters‐based nanodevices. In addition, the synthesized silver nanoclusters can be used for electrochemical sensing of glucose with high detection sensitivity, selectivity, and low limit of detection. This work is expected to be helpful for the synthesis of atomically precise metal nanoclusters and their applications in fabrication of nanodevices for chemical sensors.

Metal–Organic Gels from Silver Nanoclusters with Aggregation‐Induced Emission and Fluorescence‐to‐Phosphorescence Switching

“…ment to existed metal NC-based AIE systems [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] and metal NC-based gels. [21][22][23][24][25][26] The MOGs are formed solely by Ag 9 NCs without the assistance of any organic gelator, indicating a high content of the metal NCs in MOGs.…”

“…Recently it was found that some metal NCs underwent aggregation-induced emission (AIE), [4] a phenomenon first discovered in organic molecule with a propeller-like structure. [5] Typical AIE examples include Au, [6] Ag, [7][8][9][10][11][12] Cu [13] NCs and some hybrids, [14] which greatly enriched the system of AIE. Besides, new photoluminescent (PL) properties have been distinguished, such as the fluorescence-to-phosphorescence (F-P) switching.…”

Self-Assembly of Metal Nanoclusters for Aggregation-Induced Emission

“…Furthermore, the obtained nanowires of Ag NCs could self-assemble into hydrogels, which have a high water content of 99.5% and excellent self-healing and mechanical strength properties. Additionally, Gao et al recently reported another example of solvent-induced self-assembly of Ag NCs [47]. Using water-soluble N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) as reducing and capping ligands, atomically precise Ag 6 NCs were synthesized.…”

Metal–Organic Gels from Silver Nanoclusters with Aggregation‐Induced Emission and Fluorescence‐to‐Phosphorescence Switching

“…Recently it was found that some metal NCs underwent aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), a phenomenon first discovered in organic molecule with a propeller‐like structure . Typical AIE examples include Au, Ag, Cu NCs and some hybrids, which greatly enriched the system of AIE. Besides, new photoluminescent (PL) properties have been distinguished, such as the fluorescence‐to‐phosphorescence (F‐P) switching .…”

“…Moreover, the MOGs are quite stable without noticeable changes for months at room temperature. This high colloidal stability, together with the regular morphology and high order of the self‐assemblies, make current system an important supplement to existed metal NC‐based AIE systems and metal NC‐based gels . The MOGs are formed solely by Ag 9 NCs without the assistance of any organic gelator, indicating a high content of the metal NCs in MOGs.…”