Zeolite-Encaged Luminescent Silver Nanoclusters

Abstract

Silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) are nanoscale aggregates that possess molecular-like discrete energy levels, resulting in electronic configuration-dependent tunable luminescence spanning the entire visible range. Benefiting from the efficient ion exchange capacity, nanometer dimensional cages, and high thermal and chemical stabilities, zeolites have been employed as desirable inorganic matrices to disperse and stabilize Ag NCs. This paper reviewed the recent research progresses on the luminescence properties, spectral manipulation, as well as the theoretical modelling of electronic structure and optical transition of Ag NCs confined inside various zeolites with different topology structures. Furthermore, potential applications of the zeolite-encaged luminescent Ag NCs in lighting, gas monitoring and sensing were presented. This review concludes with a brief comment on the possible future directions in the study of zeolite-encaged luminescent Ag NCs.

Nanoporous Organic Frameworks as Light-Emitting Diodes: A Review

“…37 The assembly and dispersion of molecules in rigid frameworks can tackle the issue by eliminating their aggregation, thus enhancing the luminescence of solid-state materials. Different porous materials have already been reported in LED applications, including silver nanoclusters confined in zeolites, 38 rare-earth-ion-doped porous glass ceramics, 39 porous silicon, 40 porous graphene, 41 and porous polymer films. 42 In this review, a summary of different nanoporous organic frameworks (MOFs, COFs, and HOFs) that have been used in LEDs or are promising candidates for LEDs will be presented.…”

Luminescence Properties and Theoretical Modeling of the Ag3 Cluster Confined inside the D6r Cavity of Faujasite Zeolite: Implications for the Design of Tunable Emission Phosphor

“…Therefore, it is crucial to confine the ultrasmall Ag NCs in suitable matrixes to limit their overgrowth and meanwhile provide appropriate crystal fields and site symmetry for tunable emission. So far, various host materials and related synthesis approaches have been applied to stabilize Ag NCs with different sizes and chemical states, such as the organic DNA/RNA, proteins, and polymers, as well as the inorganic glasses and zeolites. − …”

White-Light Emissive Silver-Exchanged Nanoporous NaP1 Zeolites

“…Luminescent silver nanoclusters (Ag-NCs) encapsulated within zeolites can have outstanding emissive properties including large Stokes shifts, high external quantum efficiencies (EQEs), and exceptional photostability, among others. , These optical properties depend not only on the zeolite framework, the Ag loading, and the presence of specific counterbalancing ions but also on the hydration conditions. This remarkable versatility allows for a tunable optical emission that spans nearly the entire visible range and can achieve EQEs approaching unity. − These features render zeolite-stabilized Ag-NCs as promising phosphors for LEDs and as active layers in electroluminescent devices .…”