Spontaneous Intercluster Electron Transfer X2- + X0 → 2 X- (X = PtAu24(SCnH2n+1)18) in Solution: Promotion by Long Alkyl Chains

Arylation of gold nanoclusters and insights into structure-related CO2 reduction reaction performances

Research on arylgold complexes and ligand-protected gold nanoclusters has proceeded independently thus far due to the difficulty in controllably introducing aryl groups to synthesize arylgold nanoclusters. Herein we synthesized an arylgold Au15 nanocluster, Au15(DPPOE)3(S-Ph p Me)4(Ph)2, thereby bridging the two independent research fields. Tetraarylborates were exploited as arylating agents to transfer aryl groups onto the nanocluster kernel, triggering the arylation of the Au15 cluster while maintaining the molecular framework. Furthermore, two other arylgold Au15 nanoclusters with halogenated surfaces were controllably synthesized by substituting the arylating agent NaBPh4 with its benzene ring-halide derivatives. In addition, the change in the electronic structure from Au-SR to Au-aryl and the energetics of the arylation process from Au15-SR to Au15-Ph were elucidated computationally. Furthermore, the catalytic capability of the two Au15 nanoclusters with nuanced ligand differences was investigated in the electrochemical reduction of CO2, and the comparable reactivity of the two cluster-based nanocatalysts was theoretically rationalized. Our findings have cross-fertilized the fields of arylgold complexes and gold nanoclusters, pointing toward a new avenue of exploration for novel arylgold nanoclusters.

Impact of Heterocore Atoms on CO2 Electroreduction in Atomically Precise Silver Nanoclusters

Understanding the effect of internal atoms in metal nanoparticles on heterogeneous catalytic processes is crucial for achieving high activity and selectivity. This requires meticulous synthetic control over the size, composition, and atomic arrangement of nanoparticles. Here, we report the design of ligand-exchange-induced structure transformation and nanomolecule-templated atomic-level galvanic exchange strategies to synthesize PtAg24(IPBT)18 (denoted as PtAg24) and AuAg24(IPBT)18 (denoted as AuAg24) nanoclusters (NCs). Both NCs exhibit identical total metal atom and ligand (IPBT: 2-isopropylbenzenethiolate) counts, as well as atomic-level structure, except for the difference in the core atom (Pt and Au). Using these model NCs, we uncover the impact of heterocore atoms on the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) activity and selectivity. The central Pt atom in PtAg24 is less favorable for eCO2RR activity, with an activity approximately 4 times smaller than that of Au in AuAg24. The eCO2RR product CO selectivity is <30% for PtAg24, while it exceeds 70% for AuAg24, revealing the critical role of the central atom in surface catalytic pathways. Furthermore, AuAg24 exhibits high activity, with a CO partial current density of -202.2 mA cm-2, and stability over 24 h, retaining 90% CO selectivity in a membrane electrode assembly configuration. Operando spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations suggest the weaker adsorption of *CO intermediates and smaller energy barrier facilitate CO production on AuAg24 compared to PtAg24, providing valuable atomistic insights into the reaction intermediates and mechanism. The findings in this work will inspire the design of more atomically precise model nanocatalysts to explore the role of their remarkable features in the catalytic activity and selectivity for renewable energy conversion and storage.

Metal Nanoclusters as Highly Efficient, Versatile Type-II Photoinitiators via Generating Radicals from Non-Conventional Hydrogen Donors

Development of highly efficient photocatalysis or photoinitiation systems that are applicable to various types of illumination source is critical to virtually all the light-driven applications. Here, we report a generalizable strategy to achieve highly sensitive, versatile photoinitiation systems based on the combination of metal nanoclusters with non-conventional hydrogen donors (co-initiators). Discovery of this type-II photoinitiation pathway in metal nanoclusters not only improves their two-photon initiation sensitivity by up to three-orders-of-magnitude, it further opens the door for metal nanoclusters to trigger the photopolymerization using the low-power UV light-emitting diodes. Different from molecular type-II photoinitiators, we found that the selection rules of hydrogen donors for metal nanoclusters are largely dependent on their ligand structures. More importantly, using electron paramagnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, we for the first time demonstrate that the photoexcited metal nanoclusters can function as versatile hydrogen atom abstractors which generate various types of previously unreported thiyl and nitrogen-centered radicals. This finding indicates the broad opportunity of the future application of metal nanoclusters in light-driven organic synthesis and radical chemistry.

A comprehensive review of atomically precise metal nanoclusters with emergent photophysical properties towards diverse applications

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (MNCs) composed of a few to hundreds of metal atoms represent an emerging class of nanomaterials with a precise composition. With the size approaching the Fermi wavelength of electrons, their energy levels are well-separated, leading to molecule-like properties, like discrete single electronic transitions, tunable photoluminescence (PL), inherent structural anisotropy, and distinct redox behavior. Extensive synthetic efforts and electronic structure revelation have expanded applicability of MNCs in catalysis, optoelectronics, and biology. This review highlights the intriguing photophysical and electrochemical behaviors of MNCs and their regulatory parameters and applications. Initially, we present a brief discussion on the evolution of MNCs from gas-phase naked metal clusters to monolayer ligand-protected MNCs along with representative studies on their electronic structure. Due to their quantized molecular orbitals, they often exhibit PL, which can be regulated based on their capping ligands, number of atoms, crystal packing, presence of heterometal, and surrounding environment. Apart from PL, the relaxation pathways of MNCs on an ultrafast time scale have been extensively studied, which significantly differ from that of plasmonic metal nanoparticles. Moreover, their interaction with high-intensity light results in unique non-linear optical properties. The synergy between MNCs in a hierarchical self-assembled structure has been exploited to enhance their PL by precisely tuning their non-covalent interactions. Moreover, several NC-based hybrids have been designed to exhibit efficient electron or energy transfer in the photoexcited state. In the next section, we briefly focus on the redox behavior of NCs and facile electron transfer to suitable substrates, which result in enzyme-like catalytic activity. Utilizing these photophysical and electrochemical behaviors, NCs are widely employed in catalysis, optical sensing, and light-harvesting applications, which are also discussed in this review. In the final section, conclusions and open questions for the NC research community are included. This review will provide a comprehensive view of the emerging physicochemical properties of MNCs, thereby enabling an understanding for their precise modulation in future.

Gas-Phase Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Alkanethiolate-Protected PtAu12 Superatoms: Charging Energy in Vacuum vs Solution

The charging behavior of molecular Au clusters protected by alkanethiolate (SCnH2n+1=SCn) is, under electrochemical conditions, significantly affected by the penetration of solvents and electrolytes into the SCn layer. In this study, we estimated the charging energy EC(n) associated with [PtAu24(SCn)18]-+e-→[PtAu24(SCn)18]2- (n=4, 8, 12, and 16) in vacuum using mass-selected gas-phase anion photoelectron spectroscopy of [PtAu24(SCn)18]z (z=-1 and -2). The EC(n) values of PtAu24(SCn)18 in vacuum are significantly larger than those in solution and decrease with n in contrast to the behavior reported for Au25(SCn)18 in solution. The effective relative permittivity (ϵm*) of the SCn layer in vacuum is estimated to be 2.3-2.0 based on the double-concentric-capacitor model. Much smaller ϵm* values in vacuum than those in solution are explained by the absence of solvent/electrolyte penetration into the monolayer. The gradual decrease of ϵm* with n is ascribed to the appearance of an exposed surface region due to the bundle formation of long alkyl chains.

Bottom-Up Construction of Metal-Organic Framework Loricae on Metal Nanoclusters with Consecutive Single Nonmetal Atom Tuning for Tailored Catalysis

The introduction of single or multiple heterometal atoms into metal nanoparticles is a well-known strategy for altering their structures (compositions) and properties. However, surface single nonmetal atom doping is challenging and rarely reported. For the first time, we have developed synthetic methods, realizing "surgery"-like, successive surface single nonmetal atom doping, replacement, and addition for ultrasmall metal nanoparticles (metal nanoclusters, NCs), and successfully synthesized and characterized three novel bcc metal NCs Au38I(S-Adm)19, Au38S(S-Adm)20, and Au38IS(S-Adm)19 (S-Adm: 1-adamantanethiolate). The influences of single nonmetal atom replacement and addition on the NC structure and optical properties (including absorption and photoluminescence) were carefully investigated, providing insights into the structure (composition)-property correlation. Furthermore, a bottom-up method was employed to construct a metal-organic framework (MOF) on the NC surface, which did not essentially alter the metal NC structure but led to the partial release of surface ligands and stimulated metal NC activity for catalyzing p-nitrophenol reduction. Furthermore, surface MOF construction enhanced NC stability and water solubility, providing another dimension for tunning NC catalytic activity by modifying MOF functional groups.

Unraveling a Concerted Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Pathway in Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) represent a promising class of materials for catalytic carbon dioxide and proton reduction as well as dihydrogen oxidation. In such reactions, multiple proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes are typically involved, and the current understanding of PCET mechanisms in MNCs has primarily focused on the sequential transfer mode. However, a concerted transfer pathway, i.e., concerted electron-proton transfer (CEPT), despite its potential for a higher catalytic rate and lower reaction barrier, still lacks comprehensive elucidation. Herein, we introduce an experimental paradigm to test the feasibility of the CEPT process in MNCs, by employing Au18(SR)14 (SR denotes thiolate ligand), Au22(SR)18, and Au25(SR)18- as model clusters. Detailed investigations indicate that the photoinduced PCET reactions in the designed system proceed via an CEPT pathway. Furthermore, the rate constants of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been found to be correlated with both the size of the cluster and the flexibility of the Au-S framework. This newly identified PCET behavior in AuNCs is prominently different from that observed in semiconductor quantum dots and plasmonic metal nanoparticles. Our findings are of crucial importance for unveiling the catalytic mechanisms of quantum-confined metal nanomaterials and for the future rational design of more efficient catalysts.

Pd8 Nanocluster with Nonmetal-to-Metal- Ring Coordination and Promising Photothermal Conversion Efficiency

Constructing ambient-stable, single-atom-layered metal-based materials with atomic precision and understanding their underlying stability mechanisms are challenging. Here, stable single-atom-layered nanoclusters of Pd were synthesized and precisely characterized through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. A pseudo-pentalene-like Pd8 unit was found in the nanocluster, interacting with two syn PPh units through nonmetal-to-metal -ring coordination. The unexpected coordination, which is distinctly different from the typical organoring-to-metal coordination in half-sandwich-type organometallic compounds, contributes to the ambient stability of the as-obtained single-atom-layered nanocluster as revealed through theoretical and experimental analyses. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations revealed dominant electron transition along the horizontal x-direction of the Pd8 plane, indicating high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of the nanocluster, which was verified by the experimental PCE of 73.3 %. Therefore, this study unveils the birth of a novel type of compound and the finding of the unusual nonmetal-to-metal -ring coordination and has important implications for future syntheses, structures, properties, and structure-property correlations of single-atom-layered metal-based materials.