Issue 11, 2017

A novel double-helical-kernel evolution pattern of gold nanoclusters: alternate single-stranded growth at both ends

Abstract

Studying the kernel evolution pattern of gold nanoclusters is intriguing but challenging due to the difficulty of precise size control and structure resolution. Herein, we successfully synthesized two novel gold nanoclusters, Au34(S-c-C6H11)22 and Au42(S-c-C6H11)26 (S-c-C6H11: cyclohexanethiolate), and resolved their structures. Interestingly, it was found that the kernel evolves from Au28(S-c-C6H11)20 to Au34(S-c-C6H11)22 and Au42(S-c-C6H11)26 in a novel fashion: alternate single-stranded evolution at both ends, which is remarkably different from the reported double-stranded growth at the bottom for the 4-tert-butylbenzenethiolate (TBBT)-protected nanocluster series. This work illustrates the variety of kernel evolution patterns and the directionality of the ligands with respect to the evolution of the kernel. In addition, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) revealed that the electrochemical gap between the first oxidation and the first reduction potential decreases as the size increases from Au28(S-c-C6H11)20 to Au34(S-c-C6H11)22 and Au42(S-c-C6H11)26.

Graphical abstract: A novel double-helical-kernel evolution pattern of gold nanoclusters: alternate single-stranded growth at both ends

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
18 dec 2016
Accepted
19 jan 2017
First published
20 jan 2017

Nanoscale, 2017,9, 3742-3746

A novel double-helical-kernel evolution pattern of gold nanoclusters: alternate single-stranded growth at both ends

H. Dong, L. Liao, S. Zhuang, C. Yao, J. Chen, S. Tian, M. Zhu, X. Liu, L. Li and Z. Wu, Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 3742 DOI: 10.1039/C6NR09724C

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