Transformations of silver(i) chalcogenide clusters induced by halide ions as dopant components rather than surface active species

Abstract

Halide ions have emerged as important surface active species that regulate the growth of nanomaterials and concomitant physicochemical properties. However, there are very few reports concerning anion exchange of halide ions for the growth and conversion of nanocrystals or nanoclusters. Herein, we present the transformations of silver(I) chalcogenide clusters induced by doping halide ions, which are particularly of interest because of individual pathways controlled by ion species and amounts. Based on the cluster transformation, we further developed a luminescence turn-on sensor with high selectivity, detecting Cl⁻ and Br⁻. This work opens a new way of understanding the growth of clusters and developing their luminescence sensing applications.