Issue 4, 2017

The tetrahedral structure and luminescence properties of Bi-metallic Pt1Ag28(SR)18(PPh3)4 nanocluster

Abstract

The atomic-structure characterization of alloy nanoclusters (NCs) remains challenging but is crucial in order to understand the synergism and develop new applications based upon the distinct properties of alloy NCs. Herein, we report the synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the Pt1Ag28(S-Adm)18(PPh3)4 nanocluster with a tetrahedral shape. Pt1Ag28 was synthesized by reacting Pt1Ag24(SPhMe2)18 simultaneously with Adm-SH (1-adamantanethiol) and PPh3 ligands. A tetrahedral structure is found in the metal framework of Pt1Ag28 NC and an overall surface shell (Ag16S18P4), as well as discrete Ag4S6P1 motifs. The Pt1Ag12 kernel adopts a face-centered cubic (FCC) arrangement, which is observed for the first time in alloy nanoclusters in contrast to the commonly observed icosahedral structure of homogold and homosilver NCs. The Pt1Ag28 nanocluster exhibits largely enhanced photoluminescence (quantum yield QY = 4.9%, emission centered at ∼672 nm), whereas the starting material (Pt1Ag24 NC) is only weakly luminescent (QY = 0.1%). Insights into the nearly 50-fold enhancement of luminescence were obtained via the analysis of electronic dynamics. This study demonstrates the atomic-level tailoring of the alloy nanocluster properties by controlling the structure.

Graphical abstract: The tetrahedral structure and luminescence properties of Bi-metallic Pt1Ag28(SR)18(PPh3)4 nanocluster

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
19 Nov 2016
Accepted
04 Jan 2017
First published
05 Jan 2017
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 2581-2587

The tetrahedral structure and luminescence properties of Bi-metallic Pt1Ag28(SR)18(PPh3)4 nanocluster

X. Kang, M. Zhou, S. Wang, , G. Sun, M. Zhu and R. Jin, Chem. Sci., 2017, 8, 2581 DOI: 10.1039/C6SC05104A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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