Nitrogen Donor Protection for Atomically Precise Metal Nanoclusters

Surface organic ligands are critical in dictating the structures and properties of atomically precise metal nanoclusters. In contrast to the conventionally used thiolate, phosphine and alkynyl ligands, nitrogen donor ligands have not been used in the protection for well-defined metal nanoclusters until recently. This review focuses on recent developments in atomically precise metal nanoclusters stabilized by different types of nitrogen donor ligands, in which the synthesis, total structure determination and various properties are covered. We hope that this review will provide insights into the rational design of N donor-protected metal nanoclusters in terms of structural and functional modulation.     

Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescent Nanoswitches: Solvent-Induced Emission Enhancement of Copper Nanoclusters

Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) as a new class of fluorescent materials have attracted a great deal of interest due to their outstanding fluorescence properties. In this work, a variety of organic solvents were used to induce self-assembly of glutathione-capped CuNCs (GSH-CuNCs) to form ordered assemblies with enhanced fluorescence properties. Assemblies with multicolor fluorescence emission were constructed on the basis of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of GSH-CuNCs and the solvent effect. The fluorescence emission from these GSH-CuNCs assemblies can also be tuned from yellow to purple by changing the organic solvent. A possible mechanism based on the size of the assemblies and electron transfer was explored to explain the solvent effects on GSH-CuNCs. Stimuli-responsive nanoswitches with excellent reversibility can be controlled by changing the type of organic solvent and the ratio of the organic solvent to the aqueous solution of GSH-CuNCs. As the CuNCs assemblies exhibit strong, stable, and color-tunable fluorescence, they were employed as color-conversion materials for recognizing different organic solvents.     

The Adsorption of Ag on (CdTe)<Subscript>13</Subscript> Core-Cage Nanocluster: A Computational Study

Cadmium chalcogenide semiconductor quantum dots, especially doped nanoclusters, have attracted great attention for their effects on photo generated carriers and their lifetime due to introduced trapping states by changing surface unbonded orbitals. Here, we investigate the adsorption of Ag on “magic-sized” cadmium chalcogenide (CdTe)₁₃ core-cage nanoclusters, Cd₁₃Te₁₃Ag, by first-principles density functional theory. All possible adsorption sites, top, bridge, and hollow sites, have been considered. Particular attention is paid to the energy band structures of Cd₁₃Te₁₃Ag. The study demonstrates that the hollow sites, the centers of hexagons, are the favorite Ag adsorption sites. Unlike observed shallow acceptor level of doped QDs, two unusual deep mid-gap states with different spins, spin up and spin down, are observed. These two deep states shift with Ag moving towards the core of cage. The detail properties of adsorption configurations and these two deep states are analyzed. These two deep states should have important role to their optical applications.     

DNA/银纳米簇在分析检测中的应用

银纳米簇(AgNCs)为几个到数十个原子所组成的聚集体,核尺寸小于2 nm,具有优异的物理化学性质,常以聚合物、蛋白质、DNA等作为模板采用化学合成法制备,其中以DNA为模板合成的AgNCs(DNA/AgNCs)是一种新型的发光纳米材料,其突出的荧光特性和良好的生物相容性,被应用于纳米传感器、细胞标记与检测等多种分析领...     

Förster resonance energy transfer in nanoclusters of InP@ZnS colloidal quantum dots with dodecylamine ligand shells

Förster resonance energy transfer between InP@ZnS hydrophobic colloidal quantum dots of two different sizes has been studied in the closely packed nanoclusters formed spontaneously in an organic solvent upon the addition of a precipitating solvent. The quantum dots had a core@shell structure and were stabilized by dodecylamine ligands.     

Giant multiporphyrin arrays as artificial light-harvesting antennas

Synthetic giant multiporphyrin arrays with well-defined architectures are reviewed in terms of artificial light-harvesting materials. Meso,meso-linked porphyrin arrays and multiporphyrin dendrimers have successfully mimicked the light-harvesting function of bacterial photosynthetic systems. We have also developed novel multiporphyrin-modified metal nanoclusters where porphyrins employed as a light-harvesting unit are well organized onto metal nanoclusters by self-assembly processes. Multiporphyrin-modified metal nanoclusters have been applied to photocatalyses and photovoltaic cells. In particular, they have been assembled with fullerenes step-by-step to make large, uniform clusters on nanostructured semiconductor electrodes, which exhibit a high power-conversion efficiency close to 1%. These systems provide valuable information on the design of porphyrin molecular assemblies that can be tailored to construct molecular photonic devices as well as artificial photosynthetic systems.     

多彩金纳米簇:从结构到生物传感和成像

金纳米簇是一种具有发光性能的“类分子”新兴纳米材料.通过调控金原子数目和配体组成性质,金纳米簇可以实现同激发光下不同波段发射,从而展现出“五彩缤纷”的发光特性,这使其被广泛应用于光催化、光学器件、传感和成像等多个领域.因此,开发和优化具有优异发光性能的金纳米簇一直是化学、材料和生物学科的研究热点.本文立足于金纳米簇的发...     

Recent progress in applications of ligand-stabilized metal nanoclusters

Due to a nanotechnology boom in science and technology, the metal nanoclusters or nanoparticles stabilized by polymers and organic ligands have achieved much attention recently all over the world. We have studied on the preparation of polymer-stabilized metal nanoclusters by chemical methods, and applied them mainly to catalyses. Here the recent progresses in our group are presented in the structure control of bimetallic and trimetallic nanoclusters and in the applications of metal nanoclusters not only to the catalyses but also to the sensing responsive to pH and molecular recognition, and to the electro-optic properties of liquid-crystalline display rapidly responsive to frequency modulation. Preparation of trimetallic nanoclusters with a triple core/shell structure is especially emphasized to serve as a very active catalyst at a special atomic ratio of three elements.     

A multi-technique surface study of the mercury(II) chalcogenide ion-selective electrode in saline media

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), rotating disc electrode-electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (RDE-EIS) and synchrotron radiation-grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (SR-GIXRD) have been used to study the response mechanism of the mercury(II) chalcogenide ion-selective electrode (ISE) in saline media. XPS and SIMS have shown that the chalcogenide surface is poisoned by silver chloride, or a mixture of silver halides, on continuous exposure to synthetic and real seawater. Significantly, the in-situ SR-GIXRD study demonstrated that electrode fouling in synthetic seawater is linked to the formation of poorly crystalline or amorphous silver chloride, and that the low level of free mercury(II) in a calibration buffer (i.e., 10(-14) M) is able to undergo metathesis with silver(II) sulfide in the membrane generating mercury(II) sulfide. Significantly, the results of this detailed surface study have shown that silver chloride fouling of the electrode is ameliorated in real seawater comprising natural organic ligands, and this has been attributed to the peptization of silver chloride by the surfactant-like nature of seawater ligands at pH 8. RDE-EIS aging studies have revealed that the chalcogenide membrane experiences a sluggish charge transfer reaction in seawater, and contrary to a previous report for a static electrode, the seawater matrix does not passivate the RDE. The results of this XPS, SIMS, RDE-EIS and SR-GIXRD study have elucidated the response mechanism of the mercury(II) ISE in saline media.     

A vapor selectivity study of microsensor arrays employing various functionalized ligand protected gold nanoclusters

We synthesized and tested four different monolayer protected gold nanoclusters (MPCs) as chemically selective interfaces for an organic vapor sensor array. The ligands chosen for capping the nano-Au particles and for selective organic vapor sorption were octanethiol, 2-naphthalenethiol, 2-benzothiazolethiol and 4-methoxythiolphenol. The same set of gold nanoclusters were tested on two different types of sensor platforms, a chemiresistor (CR) and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The sensing properties of both sensor arrays were investigated with 10 organic vapors of various functional groups. Vapor sensing selectivity, dominated by the shell ligand structure of MPC, was demonstrated. The sensitivities of MPC coated CR are better than those of QCM sensors coated with the same material. The average CR/QCM amplification factors are range from 1.9 for 4-methoxythiolphenol MPC to 16.9 for octanethiol MPC. These differences in amplification factors indicate the functional group specific mechanisms for each vapor-MPC pair. The shell penetration mechanism of hydrogen-bonding vapor molecules into the 2-benzothiazolethiol capped MPC reduced the CR/QCM amplification factors. Strong attraction between MPC shell ligands can also reduce the magnitude of resistance changes during vapor sorption.     

Quantification of Stereochemical Communication in Metal–Organic Assemblies

The derivation and application of a statistical mechanical model to quantify stereochemical communication in metal–organic assemblies is reported. The factors affecting the stereochemical communication within and between the metal stereocenters of the assemblies were experimentally studied by optical spectroscopy and analyzed in terms of a free energy penalty per “incorrect” amine enantiomer incorporated, and a free energy of coupling between stereocenters. These intra‐ and inter‐vertex coupling constants are used to track the degree of stereochemical communication across a range of metal–organic assemblies (employing different ligands, peripheral amines, and metals); temperature‐dependent equilibria between diastereomeric cages are also quantified. The model thus provides a unified understanding of the factors that shape the chirotopic void spaces enclosed by metal–organic container molecules.     

高核Ag/S纳米团簇合成的研究进展

硫醇配体保护的高核银纳米团簇具有丰富的结构和性能, 在光致发光、 生物传感、 纳米材料等方面具有广阔的应用前景. 然而, 精确控制高核Ag/S纳米团簇的尺寸和结构面临着巨大的挑战, 构建高核Ag/S纳米团簇的可行策略也一直是人们关注的焦点. 近年来, 随着合成方法和表征技术的不断发展, 高核Ag/S纳米团簇的合成和性能研究方面均取得了显著的成就. 本文总结了含20个或以上Ag原子的Ag/S纳米团簇的合成方法(直接还原法、 阴离子模板法及配体交换法), 对部分高核Ag/S纳米团簇的结构进行了探讨, 并展望了未来研究的趋势.     

Template‐Free Supracolloidal Self‐Assembly of Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters: From 2D Colloidal Crystals to Spherical Capsids

We report supracolloidal self‐assembly of atomically precise and strictly monodisperse gold nanoclusters involving p‐mercaptobenzoic acid ligands (Au₁₀₂‐pMBA₄₄) under aqueous conditions into hexagonally packed monolayer‐thick two‐dimensional facetted colloidal crystals (thickness 2.7 nm) and their bending to closed shells leading to spherical capsids (d ca. 200 nm), as controlled by solvent conditions. The 2D colloidal assembly is driven in template‐free manner by the spontaneous patchiness of the pMBA ligands around the Au₁₀₂‐pMBA₄₄ nanoclusters preferably towards equatorial plane, thus promoting inter‐nanocluster hydrogen bonds and high packing to planar sheets. More generally, the findings encourage to explore atomically precise nanoclusters towards highly controlled colloidal self‐assemblies.     

Ligand Engineering in Metal Nanoclusters: from Structural Control to Functional Modulation

Ligand-protected metal nanoclusters have drawn increasing research interest because of their unique physicochemical properties and practical applications. Great efforts have been made in pursuing rational synthesis of metal nanoclusters and establishing the structure-property relationships. As an indispensable part of ligand-protected metal nanoclusters, ligands play multiple roles in determining their structures and properties. In this perspective, we demonstrate the importance of ligand engineering in terms of the control of structures, optical and catalytic properties of metal nanoclusters. Furthermore, we will show that ligand engineering is prospective in structural design and preorganization of surface metal sites.     

Self-assembly of novel dye molecules and [Cd8(SPh)12]4+ cubic clusters into three-dimensional photoluminescent superlattice

The use of organic multidentate ligands to organize inorganic species is an effective method to prepare porous solids with tunable pore sizes. However, thus far, inorganic building units are generally limited to individual metal ions (e.g., Zn2+) or their oxide clusters (e.g., Zn4O6+). To expand applications of porous materials to electronic, electrooptic, or optical areas, the organization of semiconducting chalcogenide nanoclusters is desirable. Here we report the organization of cubic [Cd8(SPh)12]4+ clusters by in-situ-generated tetradentate 1,2,4,5-tetra(4-pyridyl)benzene molecules. The structure consists of three-dimensional inorganic-organic open framework with large unidimensional channels. The combination of dye molecules and inorganic cluster units in the same material creates a synergetic effect that enhances the emission of the inorganic cluster at 580 nm. Such an emission can be excited by a broad spectral range down to the UV, which is believed to result from the absorption of dye molecules and the subsequent energy transfer. The inorganic double four-ring cluster, [Cd8(SPh)12]4+, is formed from conversion of supertetrahedral clusters, while the novel tetradentate dye molecule is formed by oxidative coupling of two diamines.     

Pushing up the size limit of chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters: two- and three-dimensional photoluminescent open frameworks from (Cu(5)In(30)S(54))(13-) clusters

Direct band gap copper indium chalcogenides are of great technological importance in part because of their high photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Covalent superlattices constructed from copper indium chalcogenide clusters are of particular interest because they may combine open framework architecture with semiconducting properties. Here two photoluminescent covalent superlattices built from core-shell type copper indium sulfide supertetrahedral clusters are reported. Each cluster consists of 35 metal cations and is so far the largest known supertetrahedral cluster with a metal-to-metal distance of 1.6 nm. In addition, this is the first example of supertetrahedral clusters in heterometallic copper indium chalcogenides. The preparation of these large clusters has narrowed down the size gap between colloidal nanoclusters and small supertetrahedral clusters and revealed new possibilities in the construction of nanoporous semiconducting superlattices with tunable pore size. Through the combination of metal ions with different oxidation states to provide both overall and local charge neutrality, an effective approach has been demonstrated in the rational synthesis of chalcogenide open framework materials with large and unprecedented supertetrahedral clusters.     

Influence of POSS structure on the fire retardant properties of epoxy hybrid networks

Monofunctional Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS), differing in chemical structure, were introduced into an epoxy-amine formulation in order to obtain hybrid organic/inorganic epoxy networks. The process developed allows the POSS to be either covalently bonded to the network and organized in small amorphous domains, or completely dispersed in larger crystalline domains. Morphology, thermal and fire retardant properties were studied through electron microscopy, DSC, TGA, cone calorimeter experiments and UL94 tests. It was demonstrated that POSS nanoclusters induced an effective fire retardant effect, which was controlled by several factors. It was shown that POSS bearing phenyl ligands were far more effective than POSS with isobutyl ligands, and that the presence of a chemical linkage between the phenyl-based POSS clusters and the matrix favoured the dispersion of the nanoclusters, resulting in enhanced fire retardancy. The fire retardant effect was only slightly enhanced by increasing the amount of POSS nanoclusters.     

A Lantern-Shaped Pd(II) Cage Constructed from Four Different Low-Symmetry Ligands with Positional and Orientational Control: An Ancillary Pairings Approach

One of the key challenges of metallo-supramolecular chemistry is to maintain the ease of self-assembly but, at the same time, create structures of increasingly high levels of complexity. In palladium(II) quadruply stranded lantern-shaped cages, this has been achieved through either 1) the formation of heteroleptic (multi-ligand) assemblies, or 2) homoleptic assemblies from low-symmetry ligands. Heteroleptic cages formed from low-symmetry ligands, a hybid of these two approaches, would add an additional rich level of complexity but no examples of these have been reported. Here we use a system of ancillary complementary ligand pairings at the termini of cage ligands to target heteroleptic assemblies: these complementary pairs can only interact (through coordination to a single Pd(II) metal ion) between ligands in a cis position on the cage. Complementarity between each pair (and orthogonality to other pairs) is controlled by denticity (tridentate to monodentate or bidentate to bidentate) and/or hydrogen-bonding capability (AA to DD or AD to DA). This allows positional and orientational control over ligands with different ancillary sites. By using this approach, we have successfully used low-symmetry ligands to synthesise complex heteroleptic cages, including an example with four different low-symmetry ligands.     

Thermotropic Luminescent Clustomesogen Showing a Nematic Phase: A Combination of Experimental and Molecular Simulation Studies

Octahedral Mo₆ nanoclusters are functionalized with two organic ligands containing cyanobiphenyl (CB) units, giving luminescent hybrid liquid crystals (LC). Although the mesogenic density around the bulky inorganic core is constant, the two hybrids show different LC properties. Interestingly, one of them shows a nematic phase, which is particularly rare for this kind of supermolecular system. This surprising result is explained by using large‐scale molecular dynamic simulations.     

CO oxidation over ceria supported Au22 nanoclusters: Shape effect of the support

CO oxidation over ceria-supported Au₂₂ nanoclusters shows strong dependence on the support shape: the lattice oxygen in CeO₂ rods is more reactive than in the cubes and thus make rods a superior support for Au nanoclusters in catalyzing low temperature CO oxidation.