Themed collection Metal nanoclusters
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Hydrogen production catalysed by atomically precise metal clusters
Atomically precise metal clusters for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic H2 production are systematically summarized, which is expected to provide new insights into the design of high-performance H2 production catalysts.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 13834-13846
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01835D
Recent advances in synthesis and properties of silver nanoclusters
This minireview outlines recent progress in synthetic strategies, photophysical, surface reactivity, and catalytic properties of Ag(0)-containing ligand-protected atomically precise silver nanoclusters.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 12329-12344
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01788A
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Circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence of ligand-protected molecular metal clusters: insights into structure–chiroptical property relationships
The potential of circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopies to unravel the structure–chiroptical properties of ligand-protected, atomically precise noble metal clusters is discussed.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 11914-11927
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01232A
An organophosphate 3d–4f heterometallic polyoxoniobate nanowire
Integrate four structural compositions of organophosphate, 3d transition metal, 4f lanthanide and polyoxoniobate at the molecular level, to form a nanowire structure.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 12420-12423
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01619J
Modulated assembly and structural diversity of heterometallic Sn–Ti oxo clusters from inorganic tin precursors
A series of heterometallic Sn–Ti oxo clusters was prepared using inorganic tin precursors and polyhydroxyalkane stabilizing ligands, which exhibited record-high nuclearity and different electrocatalytic behaviours.
Nanoscale, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02644F
Synthesis of Atomically Precise Ag16 Nanoclusters and Investigating Solvent-Dependent Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics
Nanoscale, 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02392G
Atomically precise alkynyl-protected Ag19Cu2 nanoclusters: Synthesis, structure analysis, and electrocatalytic CO2 reduction application
Nanoscale, 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02702G
A molecular dynamics study on the ion-mediated self-assembly of monolayer-protected nanoclusters
We studied the effects of metal and molecular cations on the aggregation of atomically precise monolayer-protected nanoclusters (MPCs) in an explicit solvent using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 15141-15147
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02427C
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One- and two-photon brightness of proteins interacting with gold. A closer look at gold–insulin conjugates
By combining experimental studies and time-dependent density functional theory simulations, we show the formation of insulin–Au(III) conjugates diplaying charge transfer-like excitation in the visible range.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 14953-14958
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01697A
Tailoring sensitization properties and improving near-infrared photon upconversion performance through alloying in superatomic molecular Au25 nanoclusters
The alloying of rod-shaped Au25 nanoclusters with Cu atoms significantly enhanced the triplet sensitization and near-infrared photon upconversion properties when paired with 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene annihilators.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 14757-14765
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01948B
Single-atom alloy structure and unique bonding properties of Au104Ag40(PET)60 nanoclusters
X-ray absorption spectroscopy is utilized to study the distribution of Au and Ag within the metal core of the Au104Ag40(PET)60 nanocluster, revealing a Ag single-atom alloy structure associated with unique bonding properties.
Nanoscale, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02688H
The interplay of chromophore–spacer length in light-induced gold nanocluster self-assembly
The chromophore-spacer length controls the cis-trans isomerization of azobenzene ligands in precision nanoclusters and regulates the kinetics of self-assembled superstructure formation.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 14302-14309
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01954G
Embedding AIE-type Ag28Au1 nanoclusters within ZIF-8 for improved photodynamic wound healing through bacterial eradication
A photodynamic antibacterial agent was created by encapsulating Ag28Au1 NCs in ZIF-8. This agent can eliminate 97.7% of E. coli and 91.6% of S. aureus within 5 minutes under light, promoting effective healing of bacteria-infected wounds.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 14310-14318
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01769B
Ditopic ligand effects on solution structure and redox chemistry in discrete [Cu12S6] clusters with labile Cu–S bonds
Ligand coordination modes dictate solution structure of [Cu12S6] clusters.
Nanoscale, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02615B
Doping-mediated excited state dynamics of diphosphine-protected M@Au12 (M = Au, Ir) superatom nanoclusters
Strong core–shell (Ir–Aun) electronic coupling significantly expands the energy gap, resulting in a weak nonadiabatic coupling matrix element, which in turn increases the carrier lifetime.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 14081-14088
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02051K
Size onset of metallic behavior in neutral aluminum clusters
The excited state lifetimes of neutral (Al)n clusters up to ∼1 nm in diameter in size, where n ≤ 43, are systematically measured with femtosecond time-resolved mass spectrometry.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 13516-13524
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02032D
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Assembly of anionic silver nanoclusters with controlled packing structures through site-specific ionic bridges
Site-specific linkage of tri-anionic silver nanoclusters with tetrahedrally arranged bridging sites by alkali metal counter cations leads to various network structures.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 13457-13463
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01691B
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Analytical method for the determination of the absorption coefficient of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters
A new analytical method to determine the absorption coefficient of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters by combining UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 12559-12566
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01765J
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[Au9Ag6(C
CR)10(DPPM)2Cl2](PPh4): a four-electron cluster with a bi-decahedral twisted metal core
We report a Au9Ag6 cluster characterized by a distinctive bi-decahedral core, formed through two decahedra sharing one vertex. This marks the first occurrence of a cluster of clusters constructed from decahedral units.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 11090-11095
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01471E
An insight, at the atomic level, into the structure and catalytic properties of the isomers of the Cu22 cluster
The structural isomers of Cu22 exhibit significant differences in the copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC), which offers a valuable opportunity to investigate the structure-function relationship of copper nanoclusters.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 10318-10324
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR00973H
Construction of novel Ag(0)-containing silver nanoclusters by regulating auxiliary phosphine ligands
Two superatomic silver nanoclusters (Ag17 and Ag32) with similar outer shells were constructed by adjusting phosphine ligands, and their PL intensity and QY varied greatly because of the different surface rigidity.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 9361-9366
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR01152J
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Bright near-infrared emission from the Au39(SR)29 nanocluster
A highly luminescent Au39(SR)29 nanocluster is obtained, with its emission at 915 nm and 19% quantum yield in solution and 32% in films at room temperature.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 7419-7426
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR00677A
Doping effect on a two-electron silver nanocluster
The addition of Ag(I) and Cu(I) by doping of a two-electron silver superatom, [Ag10(dtp)8], leads to the formation of [Ag11(dtp)8]+ and [CuxAg11−x(dtp)8]+, exhibiting a notable shift in the absorption spectrum.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 7011-7018
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR00326H
About this collection
Guest edited by Professor Sukhendu Mandal (IISER Thiruvananthapuram, India), Professor Yuichi Negishi (Tokyo University of Science, Japan), Professor Di Sun (Shandong University, China) and Professor Anindita Das (South Methodist University, USA).
Atomically precise metal nanoclusters are novel materials that have the potential to address everyday needs from energy to health. Luminescent metal clusters can be used for effective and efficient energy harvesting and conversion technologies, while water-soluble luminescent metal clusters offer more efficient and personalized biomedical approaches. Furthermore, nanoclusters can be used as building units to form higher-dimensional cluster-assembled materials and can modulate the optoelectronic properties of desired device materials. To create a hierarchy of structures and applications, a fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship at the atomic level is vital.
This special themed collection aims to look at new structures, photophysical, chemical and electrochemical catalysis reactions, and structure-property correlations within the themes of atomically precise metal nanoclusters. The collection covers new nanocluster structures, transformation reactions, luminescent materials, light-matter interactions, catalysis (photocatalysis and electrocatalysis), bioimaging and sensing, drug delivery, optoelectronic devices and new techniques for characterization.