Gold/Wüstite Core–shell Nanoparticles: Suppression of Iron Oxidation through the Electron‐Transfer Phenomenon

Plasmonic Au and magnetic Fe are coupled into uniform Au@Fe core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) to confirm that electron transfer occurred from the Au core to the Fe shell. Au NPs synthesized in aqueous medium are used as seeds and coated with an Fe shell. The resulting Au@Fe NPs are characterized by using various analytical techniques. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device measurements reveal that the Fe shell of the Au@Fe NPs mainly consists of paramagnetic Wüstite with a thin surface oxide layer consisting of maghemite or magnetite. Electron transfer from the Au core to the Fe shell effectively suppresses iron oxidation from Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ near the interface between the Au and the Fe. The charge‐transfer‐induced electronic modification technique enables us to control the degree of iron oxidation and the resulting magnetic properties.     

Synthesis,Structure and Catalytic Activity of NHC–AgI Carboxylate Complexes

A general synthetic route was used to prepare 15 new N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–Ag^I complexes bearing anionic carboxylate ligands [Ag(NHC)(O₂CR)], including a homologous series of complexes of sterically flexible ITent ligands, which permit a systematic spectroscopic and theoretical study of the structural and electronic features of these compounds. The complexes displayed a significant ligand‐accelerated effect in the intramolecular cyclisation of propargylic amides to oxazolidines. The substrate scope is highly complementary to that previously achieved by NHC–Au and pyridyl–Ag^I complexes.     

A Stimuli‐Responsive Rotaxane–Gold Catalyst: Regulation of Activity and Diastereoselectivity

A rotaxane‐based Au catalyst was developed and the effect of the mechanical bond on its behavior was studied. Unlike the non‐interlocked thread, the rotaxane requires a catalytically innocent cofactor, the identity of which significantly influences both the yield and diastereoselectivity of the reaction. Under optimized conditions, Au^I (the catalyst), Ag^I (to abstract the Cl^? ligand), and Cu^I (the cofactor) combine to produce a catalyst with excellent activity and selectivity.     

Synthesis, Structure and Growth Mechanism of Size and Shape Tunable Au/Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles

By simply adding ascorbic acid in advance of AgNO₃, the size and shape controllable Au/Ag bimetallic nanoparticles (NP) were prepared in the traditional Au growth solution free of seed at room temperature. The size distribution of NP is well uniform with ca. 10%–15% standard deviation in diameter. By changing CTAB concentration, the size and shape of NPs are tunable. After researching the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) behavior of the prepared NPs, an enhancement factor varied from 4.3×10⁴ to 1.1×10⁵ was obtained for the NP centered at ca. (64±8) nm. Electrochemical cyclic voltammetric results revealed that the so formed nanoparticles were Au riched Au/Ag bimetallic NP, and this formation might be due to the disproportionation reaction of Au⁺ prompted by Ag⁺ and the under potential deposition process of Ag⁺ on Au.     

The Coordination Chemistry of the Versatile Ligand Bis(2‐pyridylthio)methane

Bis(2‐pyridylthio)methane [bpytm, (pyS)₂CH₂] and complexes of this ligand with Zn^II, Hg^II, Cu^I, and Ag^I have been prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, by IR, Raman and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and by X‐ray diffractometry. The ligand is N, N′‐didentate in the Zn^II complexes; N‐monodentate in one Hg^II complex and N, N′‐bis(monodentate) in the other; N‐mono‐N′, S‐didentate in the Cu^I complex; and N, S′‐bis(mono)‐N′, S‐didentate in the Ag^I complex. The structural parameters of the ligand in each coordination mode are compared with those of the free ligand and those of the triiodide salt of the protonated ligand.     

Aurophilic Interactions in the Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoclusters into Nanoribbons with Enhanced Luminescence

Aurophilic interactions (Au^I???Au^I) are crucial in directing the supramolecular self‐assembly of many gold(I) compounds; however, this intriguing chemistry has been rarely explored for the self‐assembly of nanoscale building blocks. Herein, we report on studies on aurophilic interactions in the structure‐directed self‐assembly of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles or nanoclusters (NCs, <2 nm) using [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? (SR=thiolate ligand) as a model cluster. The self‐assembly of NCs is initiated by surface‐motif reconstruction of [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? from short SR‐[Au^I‐SR]₂ units to long SR‐[Au^I‐SR]_x (x>2) staples accompanied by structure modification of the intrinsic Au₁₃ kernel. Such motif reconstruction increases the content of Au^I species in the protecting shell of Au NCs, providing the structural basis for directed aurophilic interactions, which promote the self‐assembly of Au NCs into well‐defined nanoribbons in solution. More interestingly, the compact structure and effective aurophilic interactions in the nanoribbons significantly enhance the luminescence intensity of Au NCs with an absolute quantum yield of 6.2 % at room temperature.     

γ-Ray induced catalytic properties of the silica nanoparticles dispersed in the aerated aqueous solution

Silica nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed in an aerated aqueous solution containing Ag⁺ were irradiated to a dose of 10 kGy using ⁶⁰Co γ-rays. The typical surface plasmon band of Ag NPs was observed around 400 nm, indicating that even in the presence of dissolved oxygen the reduction of Ag⁺ occurred by silica NPs. Transmission electron microscopy images indicated that Ag NPs formed on the surface of the silica NPs. The subtraction spectra showed broad absorption around 500 nm with the absorbance depending on the dose. The electrons generated by charge separation from silica NPs with a size of about 12 nm reduce Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ and form (Ag⁰) _n species on the silica NPs, and the type of (Ag⁰) _n species formed depended on the silica NP, and Ag⁺ contents, and the dose. In the co-presence of organic molecules on the silica NP such as rhodamine, the absorbance of the surface plasmon band of both Ag NPs and rhodamine decreased, indicating the electrons to participate in the reductive decomposition of rhodamine molecules adsorbed on the silica NP. Furthermore, in the case when the silica NPs contained fluorescein molecules, the fluorescein molecules were also decomposed, indicating that the fluorescein molecules adsorbed on the inner surface of the silica NPs. The addition of I₂ as an oxidative reagent prevented the decomposition of the fluorescein molecules, indicating that electrons are the main species emitted from irradiated silica NPs.     

One‐step Synthesis of AuAg Alloy Nanodots and its Electrochemical Studies towards Nitrobenzene Reduction and Sensing

Efficient, stable, and low‐cost electrocatalysts for the degradation and sensing of environment pollutants are essential components of clean environment monitoring. Here we report, one‐step synthesis and characterization of 1–3 nm diameter sized bi‐metallic AuAg nanodots (NDs) embedded in amine functionalized silicate sol‐gel matrix (SSG) and its electrochemical studies toward nitrobenzene. The SSG was used as a reducing agent as well as stabilizer for the prepared mono‐ and bi‐metallic nanoparticles (NPs). From the HRTEM, STEM‐EDS and XPS analyses, the bi‐metallic AuAg NDs were identified as an alloy and not the mixtures of Au and Ag NPs. Characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band between the Au and Ag NPs SPR absorption region was noticed for the prepared AuAg NDs. The AuAg alloy NDs with different concentrations of Au and Ag (Au₂₅Ag₇₅, Au₅₀Ag₅₀ and Au₇₅Ag₂₅ NDs) modified electrodes exhibited synergistic electrocatalytic effect than did the Au and Ag NPs towards nitrobenzene reduction and detection. Together with ultra‐small size and exceptional colloidal stability features within these SSG‐AuAg NDs pave convenient way for nanotechnology‐based catalysts development and sensor applications.     

Polyethylenimine‐assisted Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles for Efficient Syngas Production

The ability to capture, store, and use CO₂ is important for remediating greenhouse‐gas emissions and combatting global warming. Herein, Au nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) are synthesized for effective electrochemical CO₂ reduction and syngas production, using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a ligand molecule. The PEI‐assisted synthesis provides uniformly sized 3‐nm Au NPs, whereas larger irregularly shaped NPs are formed in the absence of PEI in the synthesis solution. The Au‐NPs synthesized with PEI (PEI?Au/C, average PEI Mw=2000) exhibit improved CO₂ reduction activities compared to Au‐NPs formed in the absence of PEI (bare Au NPs/C). PEI?Au/C displays a 34 % higher activity toward CO₂ reduction than bare Au NPs/C; for example, PEI?Au/C exhibits a CO partial current density (j_CO) of 28.6 mA cm^?2 at ?1.13 V_RHE, while the value for bare Au NPs/C is 21.7 mA cm^?2; the enhanced j_CO is mainly due to the larger surface area of PEI?Au/C. Furthermore, the PEI?Au/C electrode exhibits stable performance over 64 h, with an hourly current degradation rate of 0.25 %. The developed PEI?Au/C is employed in a CO₂‐reduction device coupled with an IrO₂ water‐oxidation catalyst and a proton‐conducting perfluorinated membrane to form a PEI?Au/C|Nafion|IrO₂ membrane‐electrode assembly. The device using PEI?Au/C as the CO₂‐reduction catalyst exhibits a j_CO of 4.47 mA/cm² at 2.0 V_cell. Importantly, the resulted PEI?Au/C is appropriate for efficient syngas production with a CO ratio of around 30–50 %.     

Templated Atom‐Precise Galvanic Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of a [Ag24Au(SR)18]− Nanocluster

Synthesis of atom‐precise alloy nanoclusters with uniform composition is challenging when the alloying atoms are similar in size (for example, Ag and Au). A galvanic exchange strategy has been devised to produce a compositionally uniform [Ag₂₄Au(SR)₁₈]^? cluster (SR: thiolate) using a pure [Ag₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? cluster as a template. Conversely, the direct synthesis of Ag₂₄Au cluster leads to a mixture of [Ag_25?xAu_x(SR)₁₈]^?, x=1–8. Mass spectrometry and crystallography of [Ag₂₄Au(SR)₁₈]^? reveal the presence of the Au heteroatom at the Ag₂₅ center, forming Ag₂₄Au. The successful exchange of the central Ag of Ag₂₅ with Au causes perturbations in the Ag₂₅ crystal structure, which are reflected in the absorption, luminescence, and ambient stability of the particle. These properties are compared with those of Ag₂₅ and Ag₂₄Pd clusters with same ligand and structural framework, providing new insights into the modulation of cluster properties with dopants at the single‐atom level.     

A one‐dimensional silver(I) coordination polymer based on 5‐methyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine and pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate

The bifunctional pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂pdc) ligand has one N atom and four O atoms, which could bind more than one Ag^I centre with diverse binding modes. A novel infinite one‐dimensional Ag^I coordination polymer, namely catena‐poly[[silver(I)‐(μ₂‐pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N :O ³)‐silver(I)‐tris(μ₂‐5‐methyl‐1,3,4‐thiodiazol‐2‐amine‐κ²N :N ′)] monohydrate ethanol monosolvate], {[Ag₂(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₃H₅N₃S)₃]·H₂O·C₂H₅OH}_n , has been synthesized using H₂pdc and 5‐methyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine (tda), and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. One Ag^I atom is located in a four‐coordinated AgN₄ tetrahedral geometry and the other Ag^I atom is in a tetrahedral AgN₃O geometry. A dinuclear Ag^I cluster formed by three tda ligands with a paddelwheel configuration is bridged by the dianionic pdc²⁻ ligand into a one‐dimensional coordination polymer. Interchain N—H…O hydrogen bonds extend the one‐dimensional chains into an undulating two‐dimensional sheet. The sheets are further packed into a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework by interchain N—H…O hydrogen bonds.     

A novel one‐dimensional metal–organic framework with a μ‐cyanido‐argentate group: catena‐poly[[(5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)silver(I)]‐μ‐cyanido‐κ2N:C]

The design and synthesis of metal coordination and supramolecular frameworks containing N‐donor ligands and dicyanidoargentate units is of interest due to their potential applications in the fields of molecular magnetism, catalysis, nonlinear optics and luminescence. In the design and synthesis of extended frameworks, supramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking and van der Waals interactions, have been exploited for molecular recognition associated with biological activity and for the engineering of molecular solids.The title compound, [Ag(CN)(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)]_n, crystallizes with the Ag^I cation on a twofold axis, half a cyanide ligand disordered about a centre of inversion and half a twofold‐symmetric 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (5,5′‐dmbpy) ligand in the asymmetric unit. Each Ag^I cation exhibits a distorted tetrahedral geometry; the coordination environment comprises one C(N) atom and one N(C) atom from substitutionally disordered cyanide bridging ligands, and two N atoms from a bidentate chelating 5,5′‐dmbpy ligand. The cyanide ligand links adjacent Ag^I cations to generate a one‐dimensional zigzag chain. These chains are linked together via weak nonclassical intermolecular interactions, generating a two‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of T-Shaped Coinage-Metal Complexes

The photophysical properties of a series of T-shaped coinage d¹⁰ metal complexes, supported by a bis(mesoionic carbene)carbazolide (CNC) pincer ligand, are explored. The series includes a rare new example of a tridentate T-shaped Ag^I complex. Post-complexation modification of the Au^I complex provides access to a linear cationic Au^I complex following ligand alkylation, or the first example of a cationic square planar Au^III−F complex from electrophilic attack on the metal centre. Emissions ranging from blue (Cu^I) to orange (Ag^I) are obtained, with variable contributions of thermally-dependent fluorescence and phosphorescence to the observed photoluminescence. Green emissions are observed for all three gold complexes (neutral T-shaped Au^I, cationic linear Au^I and square planar cationic Au^III). The higher quantum yield and longer decay lifetime of the linear gold(I) complex are indicative of increased phosphorescence contribution.     

A new three‐dimensional silver(I) coordination framework with a diamondoid topology constructed from 2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid

The title compound, poly[[μ₄‐5‐carboxy‐4‐carboxylato‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐ido]disilver(I)], [Ag₂(C₁₀H₅N₃O₄)]_n, was synthesized by reacting silver nitrate with 2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H₃PyIDC) under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent Ag^I cations and one unique HPyIDC²⁻ anion. Both Ag^I cations are three‐coordinated in distorted T‐shaped coordination geometries. One Ag^I cation is coordinated by one N and two O atoms from two HPyIDC²⁻ anions, while the other is bonded to one O and two N atoms from two HPyIDC²⁻ anions. It is interesting to note that the HPyIDC²⁻ group acts as a μ₄‐bridging ligand to link the Ag^I cations into a three‐dimensional framework, which can be simplified as a diamondoid topology. The thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of the title compound have also been studied.     

Fabrication of a Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Gold Nanoparticles/CuO Nanospindles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this work, a sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of sequence‐specific target DNA was reported. Firstly, CuO nanospindles (CuO NS) were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Subsequently, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were introduced to the surface of CuO NS by the electrochemical deposition mode. Probe DNA with SH (HS‐DNA) at the 5′‐phosphate end was covalently immobilized on the surface of the Au NPs through Au? S bond. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elucidate the morphology of the assembled film, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS) was used to investigate the DNA sensor assembly process. Hybridization detection of DNA was performed with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and the methylene blue (MB) was hybridization indicator. Under the optimal conditions, the decline of reduction peak current of MB (ΔI) was linear with the logarithm of the concentration of complementary DNA from 1.0×10^?13 to 1.0×10^?6 mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.5×10^?14 mol·L^?1 (S/N=3). In addition, this DNA biosensor has good selectivity, and even can distinguish single‐mismatched target DNA.     

An All‐Alkynyl Protected 74‐Nuclei Silver(I)–Copper(I)‐Oxo Nanocluster: Oxo‐Induced Hierarchical Bimetal Aggregation and Anisotropic Surface Ligand Orientation

The hardness of oxo ions (O^2?) means that coinage‐metal (Cu, Ag, Au) clusters supported by oxo ions (O^2?) are rare. Herein, a novel μ₄‐oxo supported all‐alkynyl‐protected silver(I)–copper(I) nanocluster [Ag_74?xCu_xO₁₂(PhC≡C)₅₀] ( NC‐1 , avg. x=37.9) is characterized. NC‐1 is the highest nuclearity silver–copper heterometallic cluster and contains an unprecedented twelve interstitial μ₄‐oxo ions. The oxo ions originate from the reduction of nitrate ions by NaBH₄. The oxo ions induce the hierarchical aggregation of Cu^I and Ag^I ions in the cluster, forming the unique regioselective distribution of two different metal ions. The anisotropic ligand coverage on the surface is caused by the jigsaw‐puzzle‐like cluster packing incorporating rare intermolecular C?H???metal agostic interactions and solvent molecules. This work not only reveals a new category of high‐nuclearity coinage‐metal clusters but shows the special clustering effect of oxo ions in the assembly of coinage‐metal clusters.     

catena‐Poly[[silver(I)‐μ‐[9,10‐bis(1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)anthracene]‐κ2N3:N3′] bis(nitrato‐κO)silver(I)]

Yellow needle‐shaped crystals of the title compound, {[Ag(C₃₀H₂₂N₄)][Ag(NO₃)₂]}_n, were obtained by the reaction of AgNO₃ and 9,10‐bis(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)anthracene (L) in a 2:1 ratio. The asymmetric unit consists of two Ag^I cations, one half L ligand and one nitrate anion. One Ag^I cation occupies a crystallographic inversion centre and links two N‐atom donors of two distinct L ligands to form an infinite one‐dimensional coordination polymer. The second Ag^I cation lies on a crystallographic twofold axis and is coordinated by two O‐atom donors of two nitrate anions to form an [Ag(NO₃)₂]⁻ counter‐ion. The polymeric chains are linked into a supramolecular framework via weak Ag...O [3.124 (5) Å] and Ag...π (2.982 Å) interactions (π is the centroid of an outer anthracene benzene ring). The π interactions contain two short Ag...C contacts [2.727 (6) and 2.765 (6) Å], which can be considered to define Ag–η²‐anthracene bonding interactions. In comparison with a previously reported binuclear Ag^I complex [Du, Hu, Zhang, Zeng & Bu (2008). CrystEngComm, 10 , 1866–1874], this new one‐dimensional coordination polymer was obtained by changing the metal–ligand ratio during the synthesis.     

(μ‐2,11‐Dithia­[3.3]paracyclo­phane‐κ2S:S′)bis­[(6‐carboxy­pyridine‐2‐carboxylato‐κ2N,O6)silver(I)]: a mixed‐ligand silver‐based dinuclear compound

In the title complex, [Ag₂(C₇H₄NO₄)₂(C₁₆H₁₆S₂)], each Ag^I atom is trigonally coordinated by one S atom of a 2,11‐dithia­[3.3]paracyclo­phane (dtpcp) ligand, and by one N and one O atom of a 6‐carboxy­pyridine‐2‐carboxylate ligand. Dtpcp acts as a bidentate ligand, bridging two inversion‐related Ag^I atoms to give a dinuclear silver(I) compound. The dinuclear moieties are inter­connected via O—H·O hydrogen bonds to form a two‐dimensional zigzag sheet. Two such sheets are inter­woven viaπ–π inter­actions between pyridine rings, affording an inter­woven bilayer network.     

Molecular Junctions Composed of Oligothiophene Dithiol‐Bridged Gold Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photoresponsive Properties

Three oligothiophene dithiols with different numbers of thiophene rings (3, 6 or 9) have been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray single crystal structures of terthiophene 2 and sexithiophene 5 are reported herein to show the exact molecular lengths, and to explain the difference between their UV‐visible spectra arising from the different packing modes. These dithiols with different chain lengths were then treated with 2‐dodecanethiol‐protected active gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) by means of in situ thiol‐to‐thiol ligand exchange in the presence of 1 μm gap Au electrodes. Thus the molecular junctions composed of self‐assembled films were prepared, in which oligothiophene dithiol‐bridged Au‐NPs were attached to two electrodes by means of Au? S bonded contacts. The morphologies and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of these films were studied by SEM and AFM approaches, which suggested that the thickness of the films (3–4 layers) varied within the size of one isolated Au‐NP and typical distance‐dependent semiconductor properties could be observed. Temperature dependent I–V measurements for these molecular junctions were performed in which the films served as active elements in the temperature range 6–300 K; classical Arrhenius plots and subsequent linear fits were carried out to give the activation energies (ΔE) of devices. Furthermore, preliminary studies on the photoresponsive properties of these devices were explored at 80, 160, and 300 K, respectively. Physical and photochemical mechanisms were used to explain the possible photocurrent generation processes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which oligothiophene dithiols act as bridging units to link Au‐NPs, and also the first report about functionalized Au‐NPs exhibiting photoresponse properties in the solid state.     

A two‐dimensional silver–iodide organic network constructed from a unique [Ag6I6] hexagonal prism‐based one‐dimensional column motif

A novel two‐dimensional coordination polymer, poly[[μ₂‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)propane]di‐μ₄‐iodido‐di‐μ₃‐iodido‐silver(I)], [Ag₄I₄(C₁₁H₁₆N₄)]_n, (I), has been synthesized by solvothermal reaction of AgNO₃, KI and 1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)propane (bmimp). In (I), the two unique Ag^I cations have AgNI₃ and AgI₄ four‐coordinated tetrahedral geometries. The bmimp ligand has imposed twofold symmetry. The Ag^I cations and iodide anions form a unique one‐dimensional polymeric column motif incorporating [Ag₆I₆] hexagonal prisms, which are then connected by bmimp ligands to form two‐dimensional organic–inorganic layers. The layers are arranged in parallel in an ABAB fashion and are packed into the resultant three‐dimensional supramolecular framework by van der Waals interactions.