Single-Atom-Kernelled Nanocluster Catalyst

Abstract

To propose the concept of single-atom-kernelled nanocluster, we synthesized a Pd-based trimetal nanocluster with a single-Ag atom-kernel for the first time by introducing some steric hindrance factors and employing a joint alloying strategy that combines the coreduction with an antigalvanic reduction (AGR). Although the AGR-derived Pd-based trimetal nanoclusters with single-silver atom kernels have low contents of gold, they show higher activity and selectivity than those of the bimetal precursor nanocluster in the electrocatalytical reduction of CO 2 to CO. Furthermore, it is revealed that the kernel single atoms from both Au 4 Pd 6 (TBBT) 12 and Au 3 AgPd 6 (TBBT) 12 are not the active sites for catalysis, but greatly influence the catalytical performance by effecting the electronic configuration. Thus, it is demonstrated that the single-atom-kernelled nanocluster can not only improve the precious metal utilization (even to 100%) but also better the properties and provide insight into the structure−property correlation for metal nanoclusters.

Single Cu Atom Doping on Au11 Nanocluster: Its Implication toward Selectivity in C–C Coupling Reaction

“…14,15 We became interested in studying foreign metal doped Au:PR 3 NCs to understand their effect on parent NC structure and because doping has been observed to provide extra stability and improved physical properties to Au-NCs, irrespective of the protecting ligands. 5,16,17 Copper doping, in particular, has been hard to achieve in a controlled manner, which has usually given rise to doping in thiolate as well as mixed ligand protected NCs. 18,19 In this work, we report a single copper doping on Au:PR 3 NC where the Cu goes to the ligand site and acts as the active site for catalyzing C−C coupling reactions.…”

Insights into the effect of regulation of molecular composition on the properties of (AuAg)9clusters

“…The rapid development of precise nanoclusters has enabled nanoclusters to be used in many fields such as optics, electricity, and catalysis. 1–10 The monodisperse sizes, precise compositions, and accurate configurations of metal nanoclusters make them good templates for obtaining insights into the relationship between structures and properties at the atomic level, which in turn promotes the rational construction of new nanoclusters with customized performances. 11–18…”

Alloying and dealloying of Au18Cu32nanoclusters at precise locationsviacontrolling the electronegativity of substituent groups on thiol ligands

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Unlike large nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters exhibit strong quantum-size effects; that is, changing one atom in a nanocluster will introduce non-negligible disturbances in its electronic structure, drastically affecting its catalytic and optical performance. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] These properties of metal nanoclusters provide a fascinating opportunity to study their structure-property relationship at the atomic level.…”