Synergistic Effects of Atomically Precise Au-based Bimetallic Nanocluster on Energy-Related Small Molecule Catalysis

Abstract

Utilizing renewable sources convert small molecule energy carriers (such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water, oxygen, etc.) into high value-added chemicals and fuels is of great significance. The rational design of catalyst is the key to achieve efficient catalytic performance. Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) exhibits the advantages of high atomic economy, distinctive discrete electronic energy, and homogeneity in size, composition, structure, and surface environment, not only offering extraordinary catalytic activity, but also providing the opportunity to reveal reaction mechanism. In metal NCs family, Au-based NCs have attracted widespread and sustained interests due to the simple preparation, high stability, easy functionalization, and especially unique catalytic activity once provoking a “gold rush” in academia. Synergistic effect between different metal atoms is regarded as an effective strategy to achieve enhanced catalytic performance, but the underlying mechanism is a puzzle. Recently, abundant, diverse and adjustable atomically precise Au-based bimetallic NCs (doped with Ag, Cu, Pt, Pd, Cd, Hg, and Ir etc.) have emerged, which not only provides a material bank for highly active catalysts, but also provides feasibility for revealing synergistic effects at atomic-level. This perspective briefly introduces the common synthesis strategy and structural characteristic of atomically precise Au-based bimetallic NCs, summarizes the recent advances of its synergistic catalysis in energy-related small molecule conversion, and proposes the insights and advices for the future breakthroughs in this field.