C Yao, C-Q Xu, I-H Park, M Zhao, Z Zhu, J Li, X Hai, H Fang, Y Zhang, GM Macam, et al. Giant emission enhancement of solid-state gold nanoclusters by surface engineering, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59, 8270 (2020).
Abstract
Abstract Ligand-induced surface restructuring with heteroatomic doping is used to precisely modify the surface of a prototypical [Au₂₅(SR¹)₁₈]⁻ cluster (1) while maintaining its icosahedral Au₁₃ core for the synthesis of a new bimetallic [Au₁₉Cd₃(SR²)₁₈]⁻ cluster (2). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that six bidentate Au₂(SR¹)₃ motifs (L2) attached to the Au₁₃ core of 1 were replaced by three quadridentate Au₂Cd(SR²)₆ motifs (L4) to create a bimetallic cluster 2. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate a stronger electronic interaction between the surface motifs (Au₂Cd(SR²)₆) and the Au₁₃ core, attributed to a more compact cluster structure and a larger energy gap of 2 compared to that of 1. These factors dramatically enhance the photoluminescence quantum efficiency and lifetime of crystal of the cluster 2. This work provides a new route for the design of a wide range of bimetallic/alloy metal nanoclusters with superior optoelectronic properties and functionality.