Core size effects on electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles attached with biferrocene derivatives

Biferrocene-modified gold nanoparticles (Au_n-BFc) comprising 1.7, 2.2 and 2.9 nm in average core diameter, d, were synthesized by a substitution reaction of octyl thiolate-covered nanoparticles with biferrocene-terminated alkanethiol, 1-(9-thiononyl-1-one)-1, 1-biferrocene (BFcS). All sizes of Au_n-BFc undergo two-step oxidation reactions in 0.1 mol dm^-3 Bu₄NClO₄-CH₂Cl₂ and consecutive potential scans including the second oxidation process lead to the formation of an adhesive redox-active gold nanoparticle film on an electrode. The thickness of the Au_n-BFc film is controllable by the number of potential scans. The scanning tunneling microscope images reveal that the Au_n-BFc (d = 2.9 nm) film forms many domains of the assembled Au_n-BFcs, especially the particles are isotropically assembled in line.     

Effects of Cl, NO3 and SO4 anions on the anodic behavior of carbon steel in deaerated 0.50 M NaHCO3 solutions

The effects of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ aggressive anions on the corrosion and passivation behavior of carbon steel electrode in deaerated 0.50 M NaHCO₃ solutions were studied using potentiodynamic anodic polarization and SEM techniques. It was found that the presence of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ anions stimulates the anodic dissolution rate in both the active and the pre-passive potential regions. Moreover, significantly great effects were observed in both the passive and the trans-passive potential regions. Pitting corrosion was observed only in the presence of Cl⁻ anions, while the presence of NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ anions facilitate only passivation by oxygen of water without themselves participating in the cathodic process. Also, it was observed that the effect of NO₃⁻ anion, which is a strong oxidizing agent acting “primarily” as stimulator of the cathodic process and then its reaction product acts “indirectly” retarding the anodic process. On the other hand, the effect of SO₄²⁻ anion, which is a non-oxidizing agent, exerts an “indirect” effect on the cathodic reaction increasing its rate and then “directly” influence on the anodic reaction, retarding it.     

A novel method for the synthesis of monodisperse gold-coated silica nanoparticles

Monodisperse silica nanoparticles were synthesised by the well-known Stober protocol, then dispersed in acetonitrile (ACN) and subsequently added to a bisacetonitrile gold(I) coordination complex ([Au(MeCN)₂]⁺) in ACN. The silica hydroxyl groups were deprotonated in the presence of ACN, generating a formal negative charge on the siloxy groups. This allowed the [Au(MeCN)₂]⁺ complex to undergo ligand exchange with the silica nanoparticles and form a surface coordination complex with reduction to metallic gold (Au⁰) proceeding by an inner sphere mechanism. The residual [Au(MeCN)₂]⁺ complex was allowed to react with water, disproportionating into Au⁰ and Au(III), respectively, with the Au⁰ adding to the reduced gold already bound on the silica surface. The so-formed metallic gold seed surface was found to be suitable for the conventional reduction of Au(III) to Au⁰ by ascorbic acid (ASC). This process generated a thin and uniform gold coating on the silica nanoparticles. The silica NPs batches synthesised were in a size range from 45 to 460 nm. Of these silica NP batches, the size range from 400 to 480 nm were used for the gold-coating experiments.     

Initial oxidation kinetics and energetics of Cu0.5Au0.5 (0 0 1) film investigated by in situ ultrahigh vacuum transmission electron microscopy

The initial oxidation behavior of Cu_0.5Au_0.5 (0 0 1) thin film was investigated by in situ ultrahigh vacuum transmission electron microscopy to model nano-oxidation of alloys with one active component and one noble component. The formation of irregular-shaped octahedron Cu₂O islands with cube-on-cube crystallographic orientation to the substrate film was observed at all temperature studied. The energetics of Cu₂O nucleation for Cu and Cu_0.5Au_0.5 oxidation was compared. Cu_0.5Au_0.5 oxidation has lower nucleation activation energy due to the reduced mismatch strain between Cu₂O and Cu_0.5Au_0.5 films. On the other hand, the reaction kinetics for Cu_0.5Au_0.5 alloy oxidation is slower due to the higher diffusion activation energy of Cu.     

Ion-beam induced mixing of Cu/Au bilayer thin film (kinematics and formation of solid solutions)

Ion-beam induced atomic mixing of Cu/Au bilayer thin film is studied using combined electrical resistivity measurements and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). 400 keV Kr⁺ ion irradiation with fluences ranging from 3.3×10¹⁵ to 7.6×10¹⁶ ions/cm² at room temperature have been used. Ion beam mixing lead to a uniformly mixed metal alloy. The formation of Cu/Au solid solutions depends on the initial composition and on the fluence of irradiating ions. For an initial composition of Cu₄₂Au₅₈, a Cu-rich solid solution of composition Cu₇₂Au₂₈ is formed after irradiation with 7.6×10¹⁶ ions/cm². The kinematics of the intermixing process is also studied by in situ electrical resistivity measurements which confirmed the formation of the Cu/Au solid solutions.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the growth of gold nanoparticles by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid by hydrazine in Triton N-42 reverse micelles

The kinetics of the growth of gold nanoparticles during the reduction of tetrachloroauric acid by hydrazine in dispersed aqueous solution encapsulated by reverse micelles of Triton N-42 surfactant (with decane as dispersion medium) was studied by means of spectrophotometry. According to DLS data, at a set value of solubilization capacity V _s/V _o = 0.005 initial micelles have an aqueous core hydrodynamic diameter d _c = 3.6±0.2 nm. The final particles obtained after full reduction of Au^III have a metallic core of defect-free single-crystalline gold with a narrow size distribution and average core diameter d _Au = 7.7 ± 1.4 nm as shown by TEM. The rate of the particle growth is limited by the rate of gold reduction. The process kinetics corresponds to the model consisting of two stages of reduction Au^III → Au^I → Au⁰. The stages involve the formation and redox decay of the intermediate complexes Au(N₂H₄)Cl₃ and Au(N₂H₄)Cl, and each stage proceeds via two routes: (1) homogeneous in the dispersed aqueous phase, and (2) heterogeneous on the particle surfaces. Reactions taking route (2) are autocatalytic because they proceed with participation of the surface atoms of particles as the final products of Au^III reduction. The dependencies of observed rate constants on reagent concentrations, temperature, and solubilization capacity of the micellar solution are studied.     

Formation of copper/gold solid solutions by ion beam mixing

The formation of copper/gold solid solutions due to ion beam mixing was studied by Rutherford backscattering, high-voltage electron microscopy and transmission high-energy electron diffraction. Irradiation of multilayered Cu/Au thin films were performed with Xe⁺ ions or Ar⁺ ions at room temperature to doses ranging from 5×10¹⁵ to 2.5×10¹⁶ ions/cm² and energies from 100 to 300 keV. The ion beam mixing leads to uniformly mixed metal layers. The grain size of mixed layers is pronounced increase. It was found that Cu/Au solid solutions are formed with different composition in dependence on itinial composition and implantation dose. Cu-rich and Au-rich solid solutions are induced by ion beam mixing at an initial composition Cu _x Au_100–x withx70. In addition to these solid solutions, a solid solution of middle composition Cu₆₀...₄₀Au₄₀...₆₀ is formed for an initial composition withx<70. The kinetics of formation of solid solution is discussed as a function of the initial composition and implantation dose. Post-annealing experiments of mixed Cu₅₀Au₅₀ multilayers lead to lattice transformations and provide a superlattice structure CuAuI of the L1₀-type. With this process of ordering is associated the formation of dislocation loops.     

Anomalous concentration dependence of the coordination behavior of Cl− ion to Ln3+ ion (Ln3+ = rare‐earth ion) in anhydrous LnCl3 alcohol solutions

Raman spectroscopic measurements were carried out for the anhydrous LnCl₃·20ROH·XLiCl solutions (Ln³⁺ = La³⁺− Lu³⁺, X = 0–3; ROH = MeOH, EtOH, n‐PrOH) in the liquid state. The salt concentration (X) dependence of the wavenumber for the Ln–Cl stretching Raman band (ν_Ln–Cl) is examined in conjunction with the formation of chloro‐rare‐earth complexes. We have obtained very intriguing results including the fact that the chloro complexations of the middle rare‐earth ions (e.g. gadolinium, holmium ions, etc.) in the MeOH and EtOH solutions show peculiar behavior with regard to the salt concentration dependence: the ν_Ln–Cl wavenumber increases with the increasing chloride concentration. However, the ν_Ln–Cl wavenumbers of the light and heavy rare‐earth (e.g. lanthanum, lutetium, etc.) salt solutions show normal behavior; i.e. ν_Ln–Cl decreases with the increasing chloride concentration. On the other hand, in the n‐PrOH solutions, the ν_Ln–Cl frequency in the solutions of all the rare‐earth elements exhibits a normal behavior. We now present a possible mechanism for this anomalous concentration dependence of coordination of Cl⁻ ions to Ln³⁺ ions in anhydrous LnCl₃ alcohol solutions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Au10(TBBT)10:Aun(TBBT)m纳米团簇的起点与终点

Gold(I) thiolate compounds (i.e. Au^I-SR) are important precursors for the synthesis of atomically precise Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters. However, the nature of the Au^I-SR precursor remains elusive. Here, we report that the Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex is a universal precursor for the synthesis of Au_n(TBBT)_m nanoclusters (where TBBT=4-tertbutylbenzenethiol/thiolate). Interestingly, the Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex is also found to be re-generated through extended etching of the Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters with excess of TBBT thiol and O₂. The formation of well-defined Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex, instead of polymeric Au^I-SR, is attributed to the bulkiness of the TBBT thiol. Through 1D and 2D NMR characterization, the structure of Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ is correlated with the previously reported X-ray structure, which contains two inter-penetrated Au₅(TBBT)₅ rings. The photophysical property of Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex is further probed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The accessibility of the precise Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ precursor improves the efficiency of the synthesis of the Au_n(TBBT)_m nanoclusters and is expected to further facilitate excellent control and understanding of the reaction mechanisms of nanocluster synthesis.     

Shape and size transformation of gold nanorods (GNRs) via oxidation process: A reverse growth mechanism

The anisotropic shape transformation of gold nanorods (GNRs) with H₂O₂ was observed in the presence of “cethyl trimethylammonium bromide” (CTAB). The adequate oxidative dissolution of GNR is provided by the following autocatalytic scheme with H₂O₂: Au⁰ → Au⁺, Au⁰ + Auⁿ⁺ → 2Au³⁺, n = 1 and 3. The shape transformation of the GNRs was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As-synthesised GNRs exhibit transverse plasmon band (TPB) at 523 nm and longitudinal plasmon band (LPB) at 731 nm. Upon H₂O₂ oxidation, the LPB showed a systematic hypsochromic (blue) shift, while TPB stays at ca. 523 nm. In addition, a new emerging peak observed at ca. 390 nm due to Au(III)-CTAB complex formation during the oxidation. TEM analysis of as-synthesised GNRs with H₂O₂ confirmed the shape transformation to spherical particles with 10 nm size in 2 h, whereas centrifuged nanorod solution showed no changes in the aspect ratio under the same condition. Au³⁺ ions produced from oxidation, complex with excess free CTAB and approach the nanorods preferentially at the end, leading to spatially directed oxidation. This work provides some information to the crystal stability and the growth mechanism of GNRs, as both growth and shortening reactions occur preferentially at the edge of single-crystalline GNRs, all directed by Br⁻ ions.     

通过盐酸刻蚀和生长作用来选择性合成不同尺寸大小的金纳米团簇

Controllable syntheses of different-sized gold nanoclusters are of great significance for their fundamental science and practical applications.In this work,we achieve the controllable and selective syntheses of Au₇ and Au₁₃ clusters through adding HCl to the traditional Au₁₁ synthetic route at different reaction time.Time-dependent mass spectra and UVVis spectra were employed to monitor these two HCl-directed processes,and revealed the distinct roles of HCl as an etchant or a growth promotor,respectively.Furthermore,parallel experiments on independent synthetic routes involving only non-chlorine H⁺(acetic acid) or Cl^-(tetraethy lammonium chloride) instead of HCl were performed,which illustrated the main role of H⁺-etching and Cl^--assisted growth in HCl-directed cluster synthetic routes.We propose the HCl-etching is mainly achieved via the H⁺ action to break the Au (I)-PPh₃ part of clusters,while the HCl-promoted growth is realized via the attachment of Au-Cl species to the pre-formed clusters.     

Evaluation of secondary ion yield enhancement from polymer material by using TOF-SIMS equipped with a gold cluster ion source

We investigated the enhancement of the secondary ion intensity in the TOF-SIMS spectra obtained by Au⁺ and Au₃⁺ bombardment in comparison with Ga⁺ excitation using polymer samples with different molecular weight distributions. Since the polymer samples used in this experiment have a wide molecular weight distribution, the advantages of the gold cluster primary ion source over monoatomic ion could accurately be evaluated. It was observed that the degree of fragmentation decreased by the usage of cluster primary ion beam compared with monoatomic ion beam, which was observed as a shift of the intensity distribution in the spectra. It was also found out that the mass effect of Au⁺ and Ga⁺ as monoatomic primary ion, resulted in about 10-60 times of enhancement for both samples with different molecular distributions. On the other hand, the Au₃⁺ bombardment caused intensity enhancement about 100-2600 compared with Ga⁺ bombardment, depending on the mass range of the detected secondary ion species. The cluster primary ion effect of Au₃⁺, compared with Au⁺, therefore, was estimated to be about 10-45.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of binuclear complexes of Au(III) bridged by 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(2-pyridyl) quinoxaline

A method of synthesis of new diimine complexes of Au(III) with a four-dentate bridging ligand 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(2-pyridyl) quinoxaline (Ddpq), [Au₂(μ-Ddpq)Cl₄]Cl₂ and [(AuN^N)₂(μ-Ddpq)](NO₃)₆, where N^N is ethylenediamine, 2,2′-bipyridyl, or 1,10-phenanthroline, is described and the composition, structure, and properties of these complexes are studied. The coordination-induced chemical shifts in the ¹H NMR spectra are determined, as well as the spectral-luminescent and electrochemical parameters of the complexes. The nature of the energetically lowest spin-allowed ¹(π-d*)-and spin-forbidden ³(π-π*) states is established.     

Formation of nitric oxide dimers on MgO-supported gold particles

We present density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the formation of nitric oxide dimers (N₂O₂) on Au atoms, dimers and trimers adsorbed on regular O^2 ? sites and neutral oxygen vacancies (F_s sites) of the MgO(100) surface. The study of the N₂O₂ species is of great interest since it has been detected in the NO reduction reaction as an intermediate towards the formation of N₂O. We found that the coupling of a NO molecule with a previously adsorbed one on Au/MgO is energetically favorable on Au₁ and Au₃, but unfavorable on Au₂. The stability of N₂O₂ is in direct relation with the amount of charge taken from the support. Furthermore, one of the N―O bonds can be activated as a result of the attraction between the negatively charged NO dimer and the ionic oxide surface. In fact, for Au₁ anchored on the F_s site a barrierless reaction occurs between N₂O₂ and a third NO molecule, forming adsorbed N₂O and NO₂.     

Recombination measurements at low energies with Au49+,50+,51+ at the TSR

Recombination of Au⁴⁹⁺, Au⁵⁰⁺, and Au⁵¹⁺ ions has been studied at the TSR. With Au⁵⁰⁺ ions a storage lifetime of only 2 to 4 s was observed with the magnetically expanded electron beam of the cooler at a density of n_e = 10⁷ cm^-3. This short storage time is a consequence of the highest recombination rate coefficient ever observed with an atomic ion (1.8·10^-6 cm³ s^-1 at zero relative energy E_rel = 0 between electrons and ions). At about 30 meV a huge dielectronic recombination resonance is found with a record small width of only about 15 meV. Such resonances fortuitously occurring near E_rel=0 are probably the main reason for the enhanced recombination rates observed with Au⁵⁰⁺, with Pb⁵³⁺ (in a recent experiment at LEAR) as well as with other complex ions. For Au⁴⁹⁺ and Au⁵¹⁺ the recombination rates are smaller by an order of magnitude. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sonochemiluminescence in an aqueous solution of Ru(bpy)3Cl2

The sonochemiluminescence spectra of electron-excited ions ^*[Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ was registered for the first time during sonolysis of argon saturated aqueous solutions of Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ with low concentration. At single-bubble sonolysis, the luminescence band of ruthenium is recorded at a concentration of Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ from 10⁻⁶ M, and at multibubble from 10⁻⁵ M. Possible mechanisms for the appearance of the band of a tris-bipyridyl ruthenium(II) complex on the background of an structureless continuum of water in the spectra of sonoluminescence are analyzed. Based on the results of the comparison of the sonoluminescence spectra of Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ aqueous solutions with the sonoluminescence spectra of aqueous solutions of rhodamine B (which has a high quantum yield of photoluminescence) it was established that a possible mechanism of sonophotoluminescence does not play a decisive role in ruthenium sonoluminescence. The effect of radical acceptors (O₂, C₂H₅OH, Cd²⁺, I⁻) on ruthenium sonoluminescence is analyzed. The most significant mechanism for the formation of electron-excited ions ^*[Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ during sonolysis is the sonochemiluminescence in oxidation-reduction reactions involving [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ ions and radical products of sonolysis of water (OH, H, e⁻_aq) in the solution volume.     

Assignment of 13C Resonances in the Phencyclone-Norbornadiene Adduct Via 2D NMR. 13C Evidence for Hindered Rotation of Unsubstituted Bridgehead Phenyl Rings

¹³C NMR chemical shift assignments were obtained for the Diels-Alder adduct of phencyclone with norbornadiene in CD₂Cl₂ and in CDCl₃ solution. The ¹³C spectrum at 50.3 MHz, as well as the ¹H spectrum at 200.1 MHz, show evidence for hindered rotation of the two unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl rings of the adduct at ambient temperatures. In CD₂Cl₂ solution, all 19 of the unique ¹³C nuclei of this molecule give rise to individual ¹³C resonances. The ¹H assignments which were made earlier, together with one-bond and long-range 2D heteronuclear correlation experiments, allowed the assignment of all ¹³C chemical shifts in the molecule.     

Does gold cluster promote or scavenge radicals? A controversy at DFT

Anticancer character of gold cluster has been indicated through its free radical scavenging properties. This is in contrast to its free radical promoting ability suggested by other workers. Here, we address this controversy by probing the stabilizing effects of Au₃ cluster on RO^? vs its impacts on RO–H bond dissociation enthalpy, at B3LYP/ LACVP+* level (R═H, methyl, ethyl, n‐propyl, i‐propyl, n‐butyl, t‐butyl, and phenyl). In the presence of Au₃ cluster, bond dissociation enthalpy of O–H bond and the spin density at the RO^? oxygen are reduced dramatically. These are clear evidences for both the Au₃ facilitation of the RO–H bond breakage and its scavenging of RO^? radical. Since O–Au anchoring bond is responsible for the interaction of Au₃ cluster and ROH (or RO^?), its nature was interpreted by means of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the natural bond orbital. The results indicate that O–Au bond is stronger and has more covalent character in RO^?–Au₃ than in ROH–Au₃. The interaction of Au₃ cluster with RO^? is 1.5 to 3 times more than that with ROH. As a result, gold cluster scavenging property appears more prominent than its free radical initiation activity.     

Isomer Structural Transformation in Au–Cu Alloy Nanoclusters: Water Ripple‐Like Transfer of Thiol Ligands

Structure isomerism is observed in noble metal nanoclusters; however, the mechanism study of this process is rarely reported. Herein, by using the biphosphine ligands instead of phosphine ligands, the high symmetry of the Au₂Cu₆(PPh₃)₂(SAdm)₆ nanocluster is successfully broken and [Au₄Cu₄(L₁)₂(SAdm)₅]Br (where, L₁ is bis(diphenylphosphine)methane, DPPM) nanocluster is obtained with chiral arrangement. This newly obtained nanocluster contains a total of four isomers in crystal unit cell. Interestingly, these isomers undergo rapid isomorphism in solution, which is confirmed by ¹H‐¹H COSY spectrum. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the water ripple–like transfer of the thiol ligands results from the isomorphism of nanoclusters.     

Uniform nanoparticles building Ce1?x Pr x O2?δ mesoarchitectures: structure, morphology, surface chemistry, and catalytic performance

The design of cell-based bioreactors for inorganic particles formation requires both a better understanding of the underlying processes and the identification of most suitable organisms. With this purpose, the process of Au³⁺ incorporation, intracellular reduction, and Au⁰ nanoparticle release in the culture medium was compared for four photosynthetic microorganisms, Klebsormidium flaccidum and Cosmarium impressulum green algae, Euglena gracilis euglenoid and Anabaena flos-aquae cyanobacteria. At low gold content, the two green algae show maintained photosynthetic activity and recovered particles (ca. 10?nm in size) are similar to internal colloids, indicating a full biological control over the whole process. In similar conditions, the euglenoid exhibits a rapid loss of biological activity, due to the absence of protective extracellular polysaccharide, but could grow again after an adaptation period. This results in a larger particle size dispersity but larger reduction yield. The cyanobacteria undergo rapid cell death, due to their prokaryotic nature, leading to high gold incorporation rate but poor control over released particle size. Similar observations can be made after addition of a larger gold salt concentration when all organisms rapidly die, suggesting that part of the process is not under biological control anymore but also involves extracellular chemical reactions. Overall, fruitful information on the whole biocrystallogenesis process is gained and most suitable species for further bioreactor design can be identified, i.e., green algae with external coating.