Editorial
Introduction to nanoclusters: from theory to application
Yi Gao, Daojian Cheng and Zhigang Wang introduce the Nanoscale Advances themed collection on Nanoclusters: from theory to application.
Communication
The structure–activity relationship of copper hydride nanoclusters in hydrogenation and reduction reactions
Three Stryker-type copper hydride nanoclusters ([CuH]6) were synthesized. Variations in the electron-donating properties of phosphine ligands affect the hydrogenation reaction and reduction process activity of [CuH]6.
Communication
Dual-color core–shell silica nanosystems for advanced super-resolution biomedical imaging
Tailored synthesis and biotin-functionalization of dual-colored SiO2 nanoparticles as tools for advanced super-resolution microscopy imagining in biomedical approaches.
Paper
Exploring the stable structures of cerium oxide nanoclusters using high-dimensional neural network potential
In this work, a machine learning model is developed to construct high-dimensional neural network potential to search for the most stable structures of cerium oxide nanoclusters.
Paper
Continuous flow synthesis of atom-precise platinum clusters
Platinum clusters were prepared in a continuous flow synthesis using a modular platform based on a continuous stirred tank reactor cascade. Transmission electron microscopy and mass spectrometry confirmed the atom-precise cluster structure.
Paper
First-principles calculations of inorganic metallocene nanowires
Inorganic metallocene nanowires, MP4 (M = Sc, Ti, Cr and Fe) in configurations of either regular quadrangular prism (Q-type) or anticube (A-type), are reported and show their potential application in nanospintronics.
Paper
Unveiling the photoluminescence dynamics of gold nanoclusters with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Atomically-precise gold nanoclusters, known for their unique photoluminescence, are rarely explored at the single nanocluster level. Our study using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy reveals key insights into their photoluminescence dynamics.
Paper
Highly hydroxylated hafnium clusters are accessible to high resolution EUV photoresists under small energy doses
This work reports the success in accessing high-resolution negative-tone EUV photoresists without radical chain growth in the aggregation mechanism.
Paper
Modeling size and edge functionalization of MXene-based quantum dots and their effect on electronic and magnetic properties
We investigated basic models of Ti-based MXene quantum dots and described their structural stability, and electronic and magnetic properties depending on different lateral dimensions and edge functionalization.
Paper
Infrared spectroscopic study of solvation and size effects on reactions between water molecules and neutral rare-earth metals
Infrared-vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations is employed to examine the solvation and size effects on the reactions between water with neutral rare-earth metals.
Paper
DFT investigation of temozolomide drug delivery by pure and boron doped C24 fullerene-like nanocages
Unlike C24, BC23 fullerene is a reliable TMZ delivery agent from the theoretical point of view. The BC23–TMZ complex is stable and spontaneously formed. Considerable changes in the electronic properties of BC23 upon adsorption in gas and aqueous phases are observed.
Paper
Differences between surfactant-free Au@Ag and CTAB-stabilized Au@Ag star-like nanoparticles in the preparation of nanoarrays to improve their surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance
Illustrating the differences in the structure and morphology of Au@Ag star-like nanoparticles between synthesized with and without surfactant in developing SERS substrates.
Paper
Characterizing polyproline II conformational change of collagen superhelix unit on adsorption on gold surface
The dynamic process of protein binding onto a metal surface is a frequent occurrence as gold nanoparticles are increasingly being used in biomedical applications, including wound treatment and drug transport.
Paper
Optical properties of NIR photoluminescent PbS nanocrystal-based three-dimensional networks
NIR photoluminescent PbS nanocrystal-based aerogels are synthesized and characterized for the first time. The influence of surface facets and surface ligands on the resulting network structure is investigated and related to their optical properties.
Paper
Structural predictions of three medium-sized thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters Au44(SR)30, Au56(SR)32, and Au60(SR)34
Knowledge of structural evolution among thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters is not only helpful for understanding their structure–property relationship but also provides scientific evidence to rule-guided structure predictions of gold nanoclusters.
Paper
Light-initiated aggregation of gold nanoparticles for synergistic chemo-photothermal tumor therapy
The combination of chemotherapy with photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted extensive attention due to its excellent synergetic effect attributing to the fact that hyperthermia can effectively promote the tumor uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs.
About this collection
Guest Edited by Yi Gao (Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China), Daojian Cheng (Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China) and Zhigang Wang (Jilin University, China).
This themed collection focuses on nanoparticles with unique and tuneable properties depending on their sizes, structures, and compositions. They have potential applications in various fields such as biomedicine, catalysis, energy, and nanotechnology. The collection presents the most recent developments in the synthesis, characterisation, and application of nanoclusters in theoretical and experimental research. It covers topics such as nanocluster stability, electronic structures, reactivity, magnetism, optical properties, alloying effects, self-assembly, and functionalisation.