Catalytic Amplification of Au₁₄₄ Nanocluster Collisions by Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

An invited contribution to a Special Issue on Single-Entity Electrochemistry Scheme 1. Au 144 nanocluster collisions with the carbon collector electrode. HER occurs at the NC during its collision with the UME but not at the catalytically inert carbon surface.

Electrooxidation, Size Stability, and Electrocatalytic Activity of 0.9 nm Diameter Gold Nanoclusters Coated with a Weak Stabilizer

“…Au NCs in this size range exhibit quantized double layer charging, the emergence of discrete electronic energy levels, and photoluminescence . They have also found use in electrocatalysis . While they have desirable properties, small‐sized NCs are also more prone to oxidation and transformation to larger sizes by sintering, which causes rapid deactivation of their desirable properties and reactivity during applications.…”

“…[14] They have also found use in electrocatalysis. [1,10,[15][16][17][18][19][20] While they have desirable properties, small-sized NCs are also more prone to oxidation [21] and transformation to larger sizes by sintering, [17] which causes rapid deactivation of their desirable properties and reactivity during applications. Therefore, understanding their electrochemical oxidation properties and size stability is critical to make use of these small metal NCs for future applications.…”

“…In recent years, the size‐dependent electrochemical and chemical reactivity of metal nanostructures, including nanoclusters (NCs) below 4 nm in diameter and nanoparticles (NPs) above 4 nm in diameter, has gained a significant amount of attention due to their wide range of potential applications in catalysis, sensing and nanoelectronic devices . Smaller‐sized metal NCs often show unique electrochemical and chemical reactivity compared to bigger NPs due to the dramatic increase in surface area (SA) to total volume (V) ratio (SA/V), which leads to an increase in the number of low coordination surface atoms and higher overall surface free energy.…”

Effect of Size, Coverage, and Dispersity on the Potential-Controlled Ostwald Ripening of Metal Nanoparticles

“…Ultrasmall metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used for catalytic and sensing applications due to their higher surface area-to-volume ratio (SA/V) and increased reactivity as compared to larger sizes and bulk counterpart. − For different catalytic and sensing applications, NPs may be used at a relatively high temperature, at a high electrochemical potential, or under gaseous conditions . The structural stability of the metal NPs is critical to maintain their reactivity for their particular application.…”

Stability and reactivity analysis of single metal and bimetallic nanostructures by anodic stripping voltammetry.

“…Interestingly, sensing applications due to their higher surface area-to-volume ratio (SA/V) and increased reactivity as compared to their bulk counterpart. 181,188,[234][235][236] For different catalytic and sensing applications, NPs are usually used at relatively high temperature, 78 high electrochemical potential, 237 or under gaseous conditions. 225 The structural stability of the metal NPs is critical to maintain their reactivity for their particular application.…”