A concise guide to chemical reactions of atomically precise noble metal nanoclusters

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) with atomic precision, known as nanoclusters, are an emerging field in materials science in view of their fascinating structure-property relationships. Ultrasmall noble metal NPs have molecule-like properties that...

Enzyme-mimic catalytic activities and biomedical applications of noble metal nanoclusters

“…Due to their molecule-like molecular formulas and properties, including HOMO–LUMO transitions, 51,52 strong luminescence, 53,54 and stereochemical activity, 55 metal NCs have long been regarded as metallic molecules. 56 Similar to organic molecules, they can be synthesized at atomic precision and with known step reaction pathways. 57,58 Until now, many synthetic methods have been documented to deliver the desired purity and quantity for selected metal NCs, 59–61 such as Brust-Schiffrin, 62 two-phase, 63 and seeded growth methods 64 and so on.…”

Interparticle Antigalvanic Reactions of Atomically Precise Silver Nanoclusters with Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles: Interfacial Control of Atomic Exchange

“…Ligand-exchange, 37−45 metal-exchange, 46−49 and isotopic-exchange 50−52 reactions of atomically precise metal NCs are well-known. 13,14,36,53,54 Like molecules, atomically precise metal NCs undergo internanocluster (or intercluster) reactions in solution. 55−57 Bimetallic and trimetallic NCs have also been prepared using intercluster reactions.…”

“…Atomic exchange during nanocluster–nanoparticle (or interparticle) reactions is a relatively less explored area of study. Ligand-exchange, − metal-exchange, − and isotopic-exchange − reactions of atomically precise metal NCs are well-known. ,,,, Like molecules, atomically precise metal NCs undergo internanocluster (or intercluster) reactions in solution. − Bimetallic and trimetallic NCs have also been prepared using intercluster reactions. , Studies on the intercluster reaction mechanism suggest a pathway for the exchange of metal or metal–ligand fragments . The thiolate monolayer protecting the NC surface is dynamic in nature, , and the metal–ligand interface controls the atom transfer in an intercluster reaction .…”

“…The thiolate monolayer protecting the NC surface is dynamic in nature, , and the metal–ligand interface controls the atom transfer in an intercluster reaction . However, most examples of interparticle interactions are purely driven by supramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen-bonding, van der Waals, C–H···π, π···π, and electrostatic interactions where the reacting particles retain their intrinsic properties in the superstructures. ,− We recently reported the formation of a self-assembled 2D superlattice of monodispersed Ag–Au–alloy NPs by reacting polydispersed Ag NPs with [Au 25 (SR) 18 ] − NC . As studied using mass spectrometry, the reaction mechanism suggested an interparticle atomic exchange (metal–ligand species), and the metal–ligand interface was crucial for the reaction .…”