Synthesis of Au, Au/Ag, Au/Pt and Au/Pd nanoparticles using the microwave-polyol method

Gold, Au/Ag, Au/Pt and Au/Pd bimetallic nanoparticles with varying mol fractions were synthesized in ethylene glycol and glycerol, using the microwave technique in the presence of a stabilizer poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). It was found that bimetallic colloids of Au/Ag, Au/Pd and Au/Pt form an alloy either on co-reduction of respective metal ions or on mixing individual sols.     

Facet-Dependent Formation and Adhesion of Au Oxide and Nanoporous Au on Poly-Oriented Au Single Crystals**

Nanoporous Au (NPG) has different properties compared to bulk Au, making it an interesting material for numerous applications. To modify the structure of NPG films for specific applications, e. g., the porosity, thickness, and homogeneity of the films, a fundamental understanding of the structure formation is essential. Here, we focus on NPG prepared via electrochemical reduction from Au oxide formed during high voltage (HV) electrolysis on poly-oriented Au single crystal (Au POSC) electrodes. These POSCs consist of a metal bead, with faces with different crystallographic orientations and allow screening of the influence of crystallographic orientation on the structure formation for different facets in one experiment. The HV electrolysis is performed between 100 ms and 30 s at 300 V and 540 V. The amount of Au oxide formed is determined by electrochemical measurements and the structural properties are investigated by scanning electron and optical microscopy. We show that the formation of Au oxide is mostly independent of the crystallographic orientation, except for thick layers, while the macroscopic structure of the NPG films depends on experimental parameters such as the Au oxide precursor thickness and the crystallographic orientation of the substrate. Possible reasons for the frequently observed exfoliation of the NPG films are discussed.     

Bare Clusters Derived from Protein Templates: Au25+, Au38+ and Au102+

A discrete sequence of bare gold clusters of well‐defined nuclearity, namely Au₂₅⁺, Au₃₈⁺ and Au₁₀₂⁺, formed in a process that starts from gold‐bound adducts of the protein lysozyme, were detected in the gas phase. It is proposed that subsequent to laser desorption ionization, gold clusters form in the gas phase, with the protein serving as a confining growth environment that provides an effective reservoir for dissipation of the cluster aggregation and stabilization energy. First‐principles calculations reveal that the growing gold clusters can be electronically stabilized in the protein environment, achieving electronic closed‐shell structures as a result of bonding interactions with the protein. Calculations for a cluster with 38 gold atoms reveal that gold interaction with the protein results in breaking of the disulfide bonds of the cystine units, and that the binding of the cysteine residues to the cluster depletes the number of delocalized electrons in the cluster, resulting in opening of a super‐atom electronic gap. This shell‐closure stabilization mechanism confers enhanced stability to the gold clusters. Once formed as stable magic number aggregates in the protein growth medium, the gold clusters become detached from the protein template and are observed as bare Au_n⁺ (n=25, 38, and 102) clusters.     

Corrosion of Au particles in air-exposed NaI-treated Au colloidal suspensions

This study examines the influence of the treatment of citrate-capped Au colloidal particles with NaI under exposure to air. Whereas in the NaI-treated centrifugate of the Au colloidal suspension the iodide-induced formation of triiodide runs spontaneously, its accumulation is found to be strongly decelerated in the Au colloidal suspension under the same conditions. In accordance with the experimental findings from electron absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, a mechanism is proposed which describes the oxidation of the Au particles by oxygen under intermediate participation of triiodide.     

Ligand-unsupported Au(I) chains with short Au(I)...Au(I) contacts

A new series of solids with ligand-unsupported Au(I) chains with short Au...Au contacts were synthesized; as Ag compounds with the same structure are known, the new phases now allow unbiased comparison of Ag...Ag and Au...Au metallophilic bonds not supported by bridging ligands, which shows the latter to be consistently shorter by 0.03-0.04 A.     

Au nanoparticle-imprinted polymers

Au nanoparticles protected with a polymerisable ligand were incorporated into bulk macroporous polymers; etching the metal core resulted in disulfide-lined, nanometre-scale cavities capable of recognising similarly-sized Au particles.     

Nanoporous Au Formation on Au Substrates via High Voltage Electrolysis**

Nanoporous Au (NPG) films have promising properties, making them suitable for various applications in (electro)catalysis or (bio)sensing. Tuning the structural properties, such as the pore size or the surface-to-volume ratio, often requires complex starting materials such as alloys, multiple synthesis steps, lengthy preparation procedures or a combination of these factors. Here we present an approach that circumvents these difficulties, enabling for a rapid and controlled preparation of NPG films starting from a bare Au electrode. In a first approach a Au oxide film is prepared by high voltage (HV) electrolysis in a KOH solution, which is then reduced either electrochemically or in the presence of H₂O₂. The resulting NPG structures and their electrochemically active surface areas strongly depend on the reduction procedure, the concentration and temperature of the H₂O₂-containing KOH solution, as well as the applied voltage and temperature during HV electrolysis. Secondly, the NPG film can be prepared directly by applying voltages that result in anodic contact glow discharge electrolysis (aCGDE). By carefully adjusting the corresponding parameters, the surface area of the final NPG film can be specifically controlled. The structural properties of the electrodes are investigated by means of XPS, SEM and electrochemical methods.     

Reduction profiles of supported Ru, Au and Ru?Au

The reduction with hydrogen of Ru, Au and Ru–Au supported catalysts was followed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The supports used were MgO, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃. The differences in the reduction behavior of both metals on each carrier are correlated with the surface composition of the bimetallic clusters.

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Ru, Au Ru–Au . MgO, SiO₂ Al₂O₃. .

     

Determination of relative sensitivity factors during secondary ion sputtering of silicate glasses by Au+, Au and Au ions

In recent years, Au‐cluster ions have been successfully used for organic analysis in secondary ion mass spectrometry. Cluster ions, such as Au and Au, can produce secondary ion yield enhancements of up to a factor of 300 for high mass organic molecules with minimal sample damage. In this study, the potential for using Au⁺, Au and Au primary ions for the analysis of inorganic samples is investigated by analyzing a range of silicate glass standards. Practical secondary ion yields for both Au and Au ions are enhanced relative to those for Au⁺, consistent with their increased sputter rates. No elevation in ionization efficiency was found for the cluster primary ions. Relative sensitivity factors for major and trace elements in the standards showed no improvement in quantification with Au and Au ions over the use of Au⁺ ions. Higher achievable primary ion currents for Au⁺ ions than for Au and Au allow for more precise analyses of elemental abundances within inorganic samples, making them the preferred choice, in contrast to the choice of Au and Au for the analysis of organic samples. The use of delayed secondary ion extraction can also boost secondary ion signals, although there is a loss of overall sensitivity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alternating Array Stacking of Ag26Au and Ag24Au Nanoclusters

An assembly strategy for metal nanoclusters using electrostatic interactions with weak interactions, such as C?H???π and π???π interactions in which cationic [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ and anionic [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? nanoclusters gather and assemble in an unusual alternating array stacking structure is presented. [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? is a new compound type, a double nanocluster ion compound (DNIC). A single nanocluster ion compound (SNIC) [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? was also synthesized, having a k‐vector‐differential crystallographic arrangement. [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2,4‐DMBT)₁₈]^? adopts a different assembly mode from both [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? and [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^?. Thus, the striking packing differences of [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^?, [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? and the existing [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2,4‐DMBT)₁₈]^? from each other indicate the notable influence of ligands and counterions on the self‐assembly of nanoclusters.     

金催化作用的结构敏感性

金催化是纳米催化的代表性体系,金催化作用表现出复杂的结构敏感性。这篇综述总结了金催化作用研究的文献结果和我们利用从单晶到纳米晶的模型催化剂研究金催化作用的进展。展示了NO分解,CO氧化,丙烯在氢气和氧气气氛中环氧化等反应中金催化作用的结构敏感性和金催化剂的活性结构,讨论了金纳米粒子几何结构和电子结构、金纳米粒子–氧化物载体相互作用对金催化作用的影响和金表面低温高催化活性的来源,并展望了金催化作用结构敏感性的未来研究方向。     

Au2、Au3小团族分子的结构和势能函数

原子团簇的结构和性质研究是当今物理学和材料学中的一个热门课题,过渡金属团簇特别是Au团簇,由于其独特的物理和化学性质而被广泛地应用于催化反应、材料吸附[1-2]和光的吸收中[3]。近年来,人们用不同的理论方法研究金原子团簇。H儯kkinen等人利用GGA方法研究了中性和阴离Au2-10团簇的性质[4];Bravo-P啨rez等人采用从头计算的HF和post-HF方法研究Au2-Au6小团簇[5],这些计算结果与实验值相比,相差较大。由于金团簇电子结构的复杂性,对Au体系考虑旋—轨耦合和电子相关效应是很重要的,这种计算的不确定性对Au的影响比IB簇的其它金属团…     

Structural fluctuation of Au55 and Au147 clusters: Substrate effect

Structural fluctuation of Au₅₅ and Au₁₄₇ clusters with and without the substrate interaction are examined using model potentials and the transition state theory. It is shown that, for Au₅₅ both with and without the substrate interaction, the cuboctahedral structure (COCT) has a lifetime too short to be observed with an electron microscope while the icosahedral structure (IC) has a lifetime long enough. On the other hand, for Au₁₄₇ without the substrate interaction, both COCT and IC have lifetimes long enough but the lifetime of IC is too long for both of them to be observed in an observation period, say in several minutes. However, the lifetime is so much reduced by the substrate interaction that both the structures can be observed in an observation period. These results are compared with the experimental facts.     

Structural prediction of thiolate-protected Au38: a face-fused bi-icosahedral Au core

The lowest-energy structure of thiolate-group-protected Au38(SR)24 is with ab initio computations. A unique bi-isocahedral Au23 core is predicted for the Au38(SR)24 cluster, consistent with recent experimental and theoretical confirmation of the icosahedral Au13 core for the [Au25(SR)18]- cluster. The computed optical absorption spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Like the "magic-number" cluster [Au25(SR)18]-, the high stability and selectivity of the magic-number Au38(SR)24 cluster is attributed to high structural compatibility between the bi-isocahedral Au23 core and the 18 exterior staple motifs.     

Shell cross-linked Au nanoparticles

The organic layer of thiol-protected Au nanoparticles (ca.3 nm in diameter) was cross-linked using ring-opening metathesis polymerization or Michael addition of polyfunctional amines. The shell cross-linked nanoparticles showed increased stability toward thermal treatment and oxidative etching. The Au core of cross-linked nanoparticles was removed in an attempt to prepare hollow capsules. However, Au etching resulted in insoluble materials.     

Isomers of Au8

Using newly developed correlation consistent basis sets for gold, the relative energies for the neutral Au8 geometric isomers have been re-evaluated and the vertical ionization potentials calculated. The results using the correlation consistent basis sets show that second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory calculations strongly favor nonplanar Au8 structures for all basis sets that were employed. However, the general trend at the coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples level of theory is to increasingly favor planar structures as the basis set is improved. The effects of basis set and the effects of core-valence correlation are discussed.     

Solvent extraction of Au(III) for preparation of a carrier-free multitracer and an Au tracer from an Au target

Separation of Au(III) and various carrier-free radionuclides by solvent extraction was investigated using an Au target irradiated by an energetic heavy-ion beam. Percentage extraction of Au(III) and coextraction of the radionuclides were determined with varying parameters such as kinds of solvent, molarity of HCl or pH, and Au concentration. Under the conditions where Au(III) was effectively extracted, namely extraction with ethyl acetate or isobutyl methyl ketone from 3 mol·dm^–3 HCl, carrier-free radionuclides of many elements were found to be more or less coextracted. Coextraction of radionuclides of some elements was found to increase with an increase in the concentration of Au(III). This finding is ascribed to the formation of strong association of the complex of these elements with chloroauric acid. In order to avoid serious loss of these elements by the extraction, lowering of the Au(III) concentration or the use of a masking agent such as sodium citrate is necessary. Gold(III) was shown to be effectively back extracted with a 0.1 mol·dm^–3 aqueous solution of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol. Thus, a radiochemical procedure has been established for preparing a carrier-free multitracer and an Au tracer with carrier form from an Au target irradiated with a heavy-ion beam. Both tracers are now used individually for chemical and biological experiments.     

纳米团簇Au19Pd和Au19Pt催化解离N2O

采用密度泛函理论研究Au-Pd和Au-Pt 纳米团簇催化解离N₂O. 首先根据计算得到Au₁₉Pd和Au₁₉Pt 团簇的最优构型(杂原子均位于团簇的表面). 以Au₁₉Pd催化解离N₂O为例研究催化解离的反应机理. 对此主要考虑两个反应机理, 分别是Eley-Rideal (ER)和Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH). 第一个机理中N₂O解离的能垒是1.118 eV, 并且放热0.371 eV. N₂分子脱附后, 表面剩余的氧原子沿着ER路径消除需要克服的能垒是1.920eV, 这比反应沿着LH路径的能垒高0.251 eV. 此外根据LH机理, 氧原子在表面的吸附能是-3.203 eV, 而氧原子在表面转移所需的能垒是0.113 eV, 这表明氧原子十分容易在团簇表面转移, 从而促进氧气分子的生成. 因此, LH为最优反应路径. 为了比较Au₁₉Pd和Au₁₉Pt 对N₂O解离的活性, 根据最优的反应路径来研究Au₁₉Pt 催化解离N₂O, 得到作为铂族元素的铂和钯对N₂O的解离有催化活性, 尤其是钯. 同时, 将团簇与文献中的Au-Pd合金相比较, 得到这两种团簇对N₂O 解离有较高的活性, 尤其是Au₁₉Pd团簇. 再者, O₂的脱附不再是影响反应的主要原因, 这可以进一步提高团簇解离N₂O的活性.     

Adsorption of O2 on tubelike Au24 and Au24- clusters

The nondissociative adsorptions of O(2) on the neutral and anionic Au(24) have been studied using the density functional theory (DFT) in the generalized gradient approximation. Their geometrical structures are optimized by using a combination of the relativistic effective core potential and all-electron potential with scalar relativistic corrections. It is found that the adsorptions of O(2) on the tubelike Au(24) and Au(24) (-) are more stable than it on their space-filled counterparts. Mulliken population analysis shows that the O(2) adsorbed on the tubelike Au(24) and Au(24) (-) got more electrons than on the amorphous ones, which may be a reason why the O(2) can be adsorbed more easily on the former rather than on the latter. Compared with the previous DFT studies of O(2) adsorbed on small Au(n) (n< or =10) clusters, we have shown that the O(2) can also be adsorbed on the neutral even Au(24) with an adsorption energy compatible with that on the small neutral odd gold clusters, but the adsorption energy of O(2) on the anionic Au(24) (-) is lower than that on the small anionic Au(n) with even n. In all the optimized geometrical structures of the O(2)-adsorbed Au(24) and Au(24) (-) clusters, including both tubelike and amorphous ones, we found that O(2) prefers its two O atoms to be attached to two near gold atoms with the least coordination number rather than only one O atom to be attached to one gold atom.     

Au adatoms in self-assembly of benzenethiol on the Au(111) surface

Self-assembly of benzenethiol at low coverage on Au(111) was studied using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Phenylthiolate species (PhS), formed by thermal dehydrogenation of the parent PhSH molecule, was found to self-assemble into surface-bonded complexes with gold adatoms. Each complex involves two PhS species and one gold adatom. The PhS species form either cis- or trans-geometry relative to each other. At a higher coverage, the complexes coalesce, most likely due to the formation of weak C-H...S hydrogen bonds facilitated by the spatial arrangement of the PhS groups. Our findings thus establish that the self-assembly of arenethiols on the Au(111) surface is driven by gold adatom chemistry, which has recently been found to be the key ingredient in the self-assembly of alkanethiols on gold.