The Direct Electron Transfer of Iron‐Containing Superoxide Dismutase (Fe‐SOD) and its Catalysis for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) on a Gold Electrode

In this work, for the first time, the direct electron transfer of iron‐containing superoxide dismutase (Fe‐SOD) was observed by cyclic voltammetry on a gold (Au) electrode in three RTILs, i.e., 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF₄), 1‐n‐propyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (PMIBF₄) and 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIBF₄). And the results demonstrate that when the scan rate was as low as 1 mV/s, a pair of well‐defined quasi‐reversible peaks of Fe‐SOD was presented, while as the potential scan rate was above 10 mV/s, the reduction peak of Fe‐SOD disappeared though its oxidation peak could be clearly observed even as the potential scan rate was up to 400 mV/s, strongly indicating that these CVs we observed were attributable to Fe‐SOD rather than the impurities in RTILs. Its catalysis for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was directly verified by the shifting of formal potential, E⁰′, of ORR, to the positive direction though the value of standard rate constant, κ⁰, corresponding to ORR, was not much enhanced. In PMIBF₄, for the multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)‐modified gold electrode, both the reduction peak current and oxidation peak current for oxygen redox reaction were all dramatically enhanced compared to the case of a bare gold electrode, and the value of κ⁰ was also increased from 3.1 × 10^?3 cm s^?1 for the bare gold electrode, to 17.5 × 10^?3 cm s^?1. Hence, in the presence of Fe‐SOD in RTILs, MWCNTs, showing catalysis for the electron transfer process of ORR, coupled with Fe‐SOD, leading to the shifting of formal potential corresponding to ORR to the positive direction, presented us a satisfactory catalysis for ORR in RTILs. Some reasons available for this catalysis behavior stemming from Fe‐SOD, and MWCNTs as well, for ORR are discussed based on the previously developed proposition.     

Electrocatalysis of Cyclic Voltammetrically Prepared Co‐MnO2 Composite towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)

For the first time, cobalt particles were electrodeposited on the surface of manganese oxides by cyclic voltammetry (CV) from an aqueous solution of 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ containing 5 mM CoSO₄, and then the samples obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX), respectively. And then, the as‐prepared Co/MnO₂‐coated graphite electrode was employed to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Interestingly, the reduction peak potential of ORR on a Co/MnO₂‐modified graphite electrode was positively shifted for about 100 mV as compared with that on a MnO₂‐modified graphite electrode, indicating that the electrocatalysis of Co/MnO₂ composite towards ORR is superior to that of pure MnO₂.     

Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) Catalysts Based on Single Iron Atoms Dispersed on a Hierarchically Structured Porous Carbon Framework

Single Fe atoms dispersed on hierarchically structured porous carbon (SA‐Fe‐HPC) frameworks are prepared by pyrolysis of unsubstituted phthalocyanine/iron phthalocyanine complexes confined within micropores of the porous carbon support. The single‐atom Fe catalysts have a well‐defined atomic dispersion of Fe atoms coordinated by N ligands on the 3D hierarchically porous carbon support. These SA‐Fe‐HPC catalysts are comparable to the commercial Pt/C electrode even in acidic electrolytes for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in terms of the ORR activity (E_1/2=0.81 V), but have better long‐term electrochemical stability (7 mV negative shift after 3000 potential cycles) and fuel selectivity. In alkaline media, the SA‐Fe‐HPC catalysts outperform the commercial Pt/C electrode in ORR activity (E_1/2=0.89 V), fuel selectivity, and long‐term stability (1 mV negative shift after 3000 potential cycles). Thus, these nSA‐Fe‐HPCs are promising non‐platinum‐group metal ORR catalysts for fuel‐cell technologies.     

Piece by Piece—Electrochemical Synthesis of Individual Nanoparticles and their Performance in ORR Electrocatalysis

The impact of individual HAuCl₄ nanoreactors is measured electrochemically, which provides operando insights and precise control over the modification of electrodes with functional nanoparticles of well‐defined size. Uniformly sized micelles are loaded with a dissolved metal salt. These solution‐phase precursor entities are then reduced electrochemically—one by one—to form nanoparticles (NPs). The charge transferred during the reduction of each micelle is measured individually and allows operando sizing of each of the formed nanoparticles. Thus, particles of known number and sizes can be deposited homogenously even on nonplanar electrodes. This is demonstrated for the decoration of cylindrical carbon fibre electrodes with 25±7 nm sized Au particles from HAuCl₄‐filled micelles. These Au NP‐decorated electrodes show great catalyst performance for ORR (oxygen reduction reaction) already at low catalyst loadings. Hence, collisions of individual precursor‐filled nanocontainers are presented as a new route to nanoparticle‐modified electrodes with high catalyst utilization.     

Electrochemical Designing of Au/Pt Core Shell Nanoparticles as Nanostructured Catalyst with Tunable Activity for Oxygen Reduction

Au/Pt core shell nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared via a layer‐by‐layer growth of Pt layers on Au NPs using underpotential deposition (UPD) redox replacement technique. A single UPD Cu monolayer replacement with Pt(II) yielded a uniform Pt film on Au NPs, and the shell thickness can be tuned by controlling the number of UPD redox replacement cycles. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in air‐saturated 0.1 M H₂SO₄ was used to investigate the electrocatalytic behavior of the as‐prepared core shell NPs. Cyclic voltammograms of ORR show that the peak potentials shift positively from 0.32 V to 0.48 V with the number of Pt layers increasing from one to five, suggesting the electrocatalytic activity increases with increasing the thickness of Pt shell. The increase in electrocatalytic activity may originate mostly from the large decrease of electronic influence of Au cores on surface Pt atoms. Rotating ring‐disk electrode voltammetry and rotating disk electrode voltammetry demonstrate that ORR is mainly a four‐electron reduction on the as‐prepared modified electrode with 5 Pt layers and first charge transfer is the rate‐determining step.     

Facile Synthesis of AuPd Nanochain Networks on Carbon Supports and Their Application as Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The present work reports the facile synthesis and characterization of carbon‐supported porous Pd shell coated Au nanochain networks (AuPdNNs/C). By using Co nanoframes as sacrificial templates, AuPdNNs/C series have been prepared by a two‐step galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) technique. In the first step, the Au metal precursor, HAuCl₄, reacts spontaneously with the formed Co nanoframes through the GRR, resulting in Au nanochain networks (AuNNs). The second GRR is performed with various concentrations of Pd precursor (0.1, 1, and 10 mM PdCl₂), resulting in AuPdNNs/C. The synthesized AuPdNNs/C series are investigated as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution. The physical properties of the AuPdNNs/C catalysts are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetric studies show that the Au_0.8Pd_0.2NNs/C (prepared using 1 mM PdCl₂) has the highest ORR activity among all the AuPdNNs/C series, which is comparable to commercial Pt catalyst (E‐TEK). The ORR activity of AuPdNNs/C is presumably due to the enhanced Pd surface area and high porosity of Pd nanoshells.     

Facile Synthesis of Quasi‐One‐Dimensional Au/PtAu Heterojunction Nanotubes and Their Application as Catalysts in an Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction

An intermediate‐template‐directed method has been developed for the synthesis of quasi‐one‐dimensional Au/PtAu heterojunction nanotubes by the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of Au on Te/Pt core–shell nanostructures in aqueous solution. The synthesized porous Au/PtAu bimetallic nanotubes (PABNTs) consist of porous tubular framework and attached Au nanoparticles (AuNPs). The reaction intermediates played an important role in the preparation, which fabricated the framework and provided a localized reducing agent for the reduction of the Au and Pt precursors. The Pt₇Au PABNTs showed higher electrocatalytic activity and durability in the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.1 M HClO₄ than porous Pt nanotubes (PtNTs) and commercially available Pt/C. The mass activity of PABNTs was 218 % that of commercial Pt/C after an accelerated durability test. This study demonstrates the potential of PABNTs as highly efficient electrocatalysts. In addition, this method provides a facile strategy for the synthesis of desirable hetero‐nanostructures with controlled size and shape by utilizing an intermediate template.     

Performance of Au/Ti and Au/TiO2 Nanotube Array Electrodes for Borohydride Oxidation and Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media

Polarization curves and complex kinetics of oxygen reduction (ORR) and borohydride oxidation (BOR) reaction were evaluated at thin Au layer on Ti and TiO₂ electrodes. TiO₂ electrodes prepared included amorphous TiO₂ (AM?TiO₂) and anatase (A?TiO₂). The electrodes structure and nanotube arrays morphology were observed by XRD and SEM, respectively. All electrodes show activity for both ORR and BOR. The use of Au layer over A?TiO₂ produces the strongest synergistic effect for ORR with exchange of 3 electrons. On the other hand, the strongest effect for BOR was observed in case of Au/Ti.     

Geometrical Structure of the Gold–Iron(III) Oxide Interfacial Perimeter for CO Oxidation

The geometrical structure of the Au‐Fe₂O₃ interfacial perimeter, which is generally considered as the active sites for low‐temperature oxidation of CO, was examined. It was found that the activity of the Au/Fe₂O₃ catalysts not only depends on the number of the gold atoms at the interfacial perimeter but also strongly depends on the geometrical structure of these gold atoms, which is determined by the size of the gold particle. Aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy images unambiguously suggested that the gold particles, transformed from a two‐dimensional flat shape to a well‐faceted truncated octahedron when the size slightly enlarged from 2.2 to 3.5 nm. Such a size‐induced shape evolution altered the chemical bonding environments of the gold atoms at the interfacial perimeters and consequently their catalytic activity. For Au particles with a mean size of 2.2 nm, the interfacial perimeter gold atoms possessed a higher degree of unsaturated coordination environment while for Au particles with a mean size of 3.5 nm the perimeter gold atoms mainly followed the atomic arrangements of Au {111} and {100} facets. Kinetic study, with respect to the reaction rate and the turnover frequency on the interfacial perimeter gold atom, found that the low‐coordinated perimeter gold atoms were intrinsically more active for CO oxidation. ¹⁸O isotopic titration and Infrared spectroscopy experiments verified that CO oxidation at room temperature occurred at the Au‐Fe₂O₃ interfacial perimeter, involving the participation of the lattice oxygen of Fe₂O₃ for activating O₂ and the gold atoms for CO adsorption and activation.     

Size‐Dependent Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Oxygen‐Reduction and Hydrogen‐Evolution Performance of MoS2 Particles

MoS₂ particles with different size distributions were prepared by simple ultrasonication of bulk MoS₂ followed by gradient centrifugation. Relative to the inert microscale MoS₂, nanoscale MoS₂ showed significantly improved catalytic activity toward the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER). The decrease in particle size was accompanied by an increase in catalytic activity. Particles with a size of around 2 nm exhibited the best dual ORR and HER performance with a four‐electron ORR process and an HER onset potential of ?0.16 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). This is the first investigation on the size‐dependent effect of the ORR activity of MoS₂, and a four‐electron transfer route was found. The exposed abundant Mo edges of the MoS₂ nanoparticles were proven to be responsible for the high ORR catalytic activity, whereas the origin of the improved HER activity of the nanoparticles was attributed to the plentiful exposed S edges. This newly discovered process provides a simple protocol to produce inexpensive highly active MoS₂ catalysts that could easily be scaled up. Hence, it opens up possibilities for wide applications of MoS₂ nanoparticles in the fields of energy conversion and storage.     

Multiple plasmonic effect on photocurrent generation of metal‐loaded titanium dioxide composite/dye films on gold grating surface

We demonstrate the multiple plasmonic effect on the photocurrent properties of photoanodes containing Ag or Au nanoparticles (NPs) loaded onto titanium dioxide film (Ag–TiO₂ or Au–TiO₂) on Au grating surfaces. Ag–TiO₂ or Au–TiO₂ nanocomposite particles are prepared by a flame spray pyrolysis route. The structures and morphologies of the prepared products are characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The Ag–TiO₂ or Au–TiO₂ composite NPs are deposited by spin coating onto the Au grating surfaces. The photoanode electrode is a layered structure of blu‐ray disc‐recordable grating substrate/Au/Ag (or Au)–TiO₂/dye/electrolyte/indium‐tin oxide. The plasmonic effect is induced when Ag or Au NPs are located within the propagating surface plasmon (SP) field on the Au grating surface. The short‐circuit photocurrent is increased by exciting the grating‐coupled propagating SP on the Au gratings and is further enhanced by positioning the Ag or Au NPs within the grating‐coupled SP field. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boosting ORR Catalytic Activity by Integrating Pyridine‐N Dopants,a High Degree of Graphitization,and Hierarchical Pores into a MOF‐Derived N‐Doped Carbon in a Tandem Synthesis

N‐doped carbon materials represent promising metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the cathode reaction in fuel cells, metal–air batteries, and so on. A challenge for optimizing the ORR catalytic activities of these electrocatalysts is to tune their local structures and chemical compositions in a rational and controlled way that can achieve the synergistic function of each factor. Herein, we report a tandem synthetic strategy that integrates multiple contributing factors into an N‐doped carbon. With an N‐containing MOF (ZIF‐8) as the precursor, carbonization at higher temperatures leads to a higher degree of graphitization. Subsequent NH₃ etching of this highly graphitic carbon enabled the introduction of a higher content of pyridine‐N sites and higher porosity. By optimizing these three factors, the resultant carbon materials displayed ORR activity that was far superior to that of carbon derived from a one‐step pyrolysis. The onset potential of 0.955 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and the half‐wave potential of 0.835 V versus RHE are among the top ranks of metal‐free ORR catalysts and are comparable to commercial Pt/C (20 wt %) catalysts. Kinetic studies revealed lower H₂O₂ yields, higher electron‐transfer numbers, and lower Tafel slopes for these carbon materials compared with that derived from a one‐step carbonization. These findings verify the effectiveness of this tandem synthetic strategy to enhance the ORR activity of N‐doped carbon materials.     

Gold(Core)–Lead(Shell) Nanoparticle‐Loaded Titanium(IV) Oxide Prepared by Underpotential Photodeposition: Plasmonic Water Oxidation

Underpotential photodeposition of Pb yields an ultrathin shell layer on the Au(111) surface of Au nanoparticle(NP)‐loaded TiO₂ (Au/TiO₂) with heteroepitaxial nanojunctions. The localized surface plasmon resonance of Au/TiO₂ undergoes no damping with the Pb‐shell formation, and the Pb shell offers resistance to aerobic oxidation. Mesoporous films comprising the Au(core)–Pb(shell) NP‐loaded TiO₂ and unmodified Au/TiO₂ were formed on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode. Using them as the photoanode, photoelectrochemical cells were fabricated, and the photocurrent was measured under illumination of simulated sunlight. The photocurrent for water splitting is dramatically enhanced by the Pb‐shell formation. The photoelectrochemical measurements of the hot‐electron lifetime and density functional theory calculations for model clusters indicate that the Pb‐shell effect originates from the charge separation enhancement.     

ORR催化剂Nim@Pt1Aun-m-1 (n = 19, 38, 55, 79; m = 1, 6, 13, 19)的密度泛函研究

燃料电池的阴极反应的反应动力学速率非常慢,限制了燃料电池技术的发展。因此,寻找低成本、高活性的氧还原催化剂具有重要的意义。多元金属核壳团簇表现出优良的氧还原活性。在本文中,以原子个数为19、38、55和79的八面体团簇作催化剂模型,采用密度泛函理论(GGA-PBE-PAW)方法,研究了一系列不同尺寸核壳Ni_m@M_n-m (n = 19, 38, 55, 79;m = 1, 6, 13, 19; M = Pt, Pd, Cu, Au, Ag)团簇催化剂的活性规律。优化*O、*OH和*OOH吸附中间体结构,计算了吸附自由能和反应吉布斯自由能,以超电势为催化活性的描述符,研究了单原子Pt嵌入Ni_m@Au_n-m团簇的活性规律。结果表明,Ni₆@Pt₁Au₃₁具有最好的ORR活性,并且Ni₁@Pt₁Au₁₇、Ni₆@Pt₁Au₃₁、Ni₁₃@Pt₁Au₄₁、Ni₁₉@Pt₁Au₅表现出比Pt₃₈团簇以及Pt(111)表面更高的催化活性。Bader电荷和态密度分析表面,核壳之间的电荷转移以及单原子Pt嵌入Ni_m@Au_n-m表面,改变了吸附位的电子性质,降低了*OH的吸附强度,提高了ORR活性。单原子Pt嵌入Ni_m@Au_n-m表面可能是一种合适的多元金属核壳ORR催化剂设计策略。     

Noble Metals Can Have Different Effects on Photocatalysis Over Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs): A Case Study on M/NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au)

M‐doped NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au) were prepared by using the wetness impregnation method followed by a treatment with H₂ flow. The resultant samples were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses, N₂‐sorption BET surface area, and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic reaction carried out in saturated CO₂ with triethanolamine (TEOA) as sacrificial agent under visible‐light irradiations showed that the noble metal‐doping on NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) promoted the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Unlike that over pure NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), in which only formate was produced, both hydrogen and formate were formed over Pt‐ and Au‐loaded NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti). However, Pt and Au have different effects on the photocatalytic performance for formate production. Compared with pure NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), Pt/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) showed an enhanced activity for photocatalytic formate formation, whereas Au has a negative effect on this reaction. To elucidate the origin of the different photocatalytic performance, electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti).The photocatalytic mechanisms over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au) were proposed. For the first time, the hydrogen spillover from the noble metal Pt to the framework of NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) and its promoting effect on the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is revealed. The elucidation of the mechanism on the photocatalysis over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) can provide some guidance in the development of new photocatalysts based on MOF materials. This study also demonstrates the potential of using noble metal‐doped MOFs in photocatalytic reactions involving hydrogen as a reactant, like hydrogenation reactions.     

Controlled adhesion of Salmonella Typhimurium to poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) grafts

Poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate), POEGMA, brushes were prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) on gold‐coated silicon wafers. Prior to ATRP, the substrates were grafted by brominated aryl initiators via the electrochemical reduction of a noncommercial parent diazonium salt of the formula BF₄^?, ⁺N₂‐C₆H₄‐CH(CH₃)Br. The diazonium‐modified gold plates (Au‐Br) served as macroinitiators for ATRP of OEGMA which resulted in hydrophilic surfaces (Au‐POEGMA) that could be used for two distinct objectives: (i) resistance to fouling by Salmonella Typhimurium; (ii) specific recognition of the same bacteria provided that the POEGMA grafts are activated by anti‐Salmonella. The Au‐POEGMA plates were characterized by XPS, polarization modulation‐infrared reflection‐absorption spectroscopy (PM‐IRRAS) and contact angle measurements. Both Beer‐Lambert equation and Tougaard's QUASES software indicated a POEGMA thickness that exceeds the critical ～10 nm value necessary for obtaining a hydrophilic polymer with effective resistance to cell adhesion. The Au‐POEGMA slides were further activated by trichlorotriazine (TCT) in order to covalently bind anti‐Salmonella antibodies (AS). The antibody‐modified Au‐POEGMA specimens were found to specifically attach Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. This work is another example of the diazonium salt/ATRP process to provide biomedical polymer surfaces. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cyclic Voltammetrically Prepared MnO2‐Polyaniline Composite and Its Electrocatalysis for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)

The composite of manganese dioxide‐polyaniline (MnO₂‐PANI) was successfully prepared by cyclic voltammetry (CV) from a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution containing 0.2 M aniline and 0.5 M MnSO₄. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that cauliflower like manganese dioxides entangled with PANI were generated. The spectra obtained from UV‐vis spectrophotometry (UV‐vis) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) strongly demonstrated that this novel composite was composed by MnO₂ and PANI, and also there was an interaction between MnO₂ and PANI. Then, for the first time, this resultant composite was modified on a graphite electrode and employed in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), subsequently, the obtained cyclic voltammograms (CVs) verified that ORR could proceed on this resultant composite of MnO₂‐PANI. Lastly, the possible catalysis mechanism of MnO₂‐PANI towards ORR was proposed based on the results we acquired. Developing a novel substrate on which ORR could proceed is the main contribution of this work.     

Controlling Proton and Electron Transfer Rates to Enhance the Activity of an Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst

An electrochemical approach is developed that allows for the control of both proton and electron transfer rates in the O₂ reduction reaction (ORR). A dinuclear Cu ORR catalyst was prepared that can be covalently attached to thiol‐based self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au electrodes using azide–alkyne click chemistry. Using this architecture, the electron transfer rate to the catalyst is modulated by changing the length of the SAM, and the proton transfer rate to the catalyst is controlled with an appended lipid membrane modified with proton carriers. By tuning the relative rates of proton and electron transfer, the current density of the lipid‐covered catalyst is enhanced without altering its core molecular structure. This electrochemical platform will help identify optimal thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for ORR catalysts and catalysts of other reactions that involve the transfer of both protons and electrons.     

Chlor(trifluorphosphan)gold(I): [Au(PF3)Cl]

Chloro(trifluorophosphane)gold(I): [Au(PF₃)Cl] X‐ray quality crystals of [Au(PF₃)Cl] (orthorhombic, Pnma) are obtained from a toluene / pentane solution at 6 °C. According to the result of the X‐ray structural analysis, [Au(PF₃)Cl] contains an almost linear F₃P‐Au‐Cl unit. The shortest Au‐Au contacts between two of these units are 3.3495(9) Å.     

The Effect of Hard and Soft Donors on Structural Motifs in (Isocyanide)gold(I) Complexes

Treatment of the (isocyanide)gold(I) species LAuCl (L=^tBuNC, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC) with 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid in the presence of NaOMe yields the complexes [Au(4‐SC₆H₄CO₂H)L] in good yield. Reaction of LAuCl with 2‐HSQn (Qn=quinoline) and 2‐HSPy (Py=pyridine) under the same conditions provides the thiolato compounds [Au(2‐SQn)L] and [Au(2‐SPy)L], respectively. A structural investigation of the pyridylthiolato compound revealed chains of molecules with alternating medium and long Au−Au interactions. Treatment of this compound with HBF₄ results in the cationic species [Au(2‐HSPy)(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC)]⁺ as the BF₄⁻ salt. The same product is obtained on reaction of [AuCl(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC)] with AgOTf followed by HSPy. Treatment of the gold(I) halide compounds LAuCl (L=^tBuNC, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC) with potassium 1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2,5‐dithiolate (KSSSK) leads to the isolation of dinuclear thiolatogold complexes [(AuL)₂(SSS)]. These products go on to form insoluble polymers through loss of isocyanide on standing in solution. A single crystal of [{Au(^tBuNC)}₂(SSS)] was obtained and the subsequent structural analysis revealed one of the most complicated networks known based solely on aurophilic interactions. A good comparison to the ‘soft' S‐donation of the thiolato ligands was provided by the synthesis of a number of nitratogold(I)complexes with the anion bound through the ‘hard' O‐donor. Reaction of ⁱPrNC and CyNC with Au(tht)Cl provided the complexes [AuCl(ⁱPrNC)] and [AuCl(CyNC)], respectively. These compounds were found to yield the respective nitrato species [Au(NO₃)ⁱPrNC)] and [(Au(NO₃)(CyNC)] on treatment with AgNO₃. The nitrato complexes yielded single crystals enabling a structural investigation to be carried out. While [Au(NO₃)(CyNC)] has a more conventional structure with dimers aligned into strings with alternating short and long aurophilic bonding, [Au(NO₃)(ⁱPrNC)] has a unique structure based on strings of alternating, corner‐sharing Au₆ and Au₈ units with short Au−Au contacts in edge‐sharing Au₃ triangles.