Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Glasses of Atomically Precise Nanoclusters

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Rare Earth Halide Glasses for Tunable Multicolor X-ray Scintillation

Rare earth-based all-inorganic glass-ceramics have played an important role in the field of optoelectronics. However, the research of organo-inorganic hybrid rare earth halide glass that can be produced at low temperatures is still in the blank stage. In this paper, we report for the first time novel amorphous organic-inorganic hybrid rare earth-based halide luminescent glasses, Bzmim3LnCl6 (Bzmim = 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium; Ln3+ = Tb3+, Eu3+), and realize tunable multicolor photoluminescence emission. By adjusting the ratio of Tb3+/Eu3+ within the Bzmim3LnCl6 glass, we have successfully induced controllable radioluminescence properties ranging from green to red under X-ray irradiation. Notably, these amorphous organic-inorganic hybrid rare earth glasses exhibit remarkable sensitivity to variations in X-ray dose, suggesting promising applications in the field of passive color visualization radiation detection. Furthermore, the Bzmim3TbCl6 glass demonstrates exceptional light transmittance greater than 85% across the 480-800 nm range, which results in superior spatial resolution in X-ray imaging (>25 lp mm-1). These findings not only provide a good example for the design and development of hybrid rare earth-based halide glasses but also hold great potential for applications in detection, sensing, illumination, and display technologies.

An atomically precise alloy AgCu cuboid nanocluster with a cubic core: gram scale synthesis, total structure, electronic structure, and catalytic performance

Although atomically precise noble metal nanoclusters (NMNCs) are highly desirable to unravel the size and structure-activity relationships in catalysis, their synthesis in a controlled way at the atomic level is challenging. Herein, we report the structure and gram scale synthesis of a highly symmetric 2-phenylethanethiol (PETH) and triphenylphosphine (PPh3)-protected AgCu alloy nanocluster (NC) [Ag4Cu28H6(PET)16Cl8(PPh3)8][BF4]2 with a cuboid shape, denoted as Ag4Cu28. This was accomplished via a facile one-pot reduction method. The Ag4Cu28 NC consists of an Ag4Cu4 metal core, six hydrides, four Cu4Cl2 units, eight PET ligands, and four Cu2(PET)2(PPh3)2 motifs. High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations support this crystal structure. Moreover, Ag4Cu28 exhibits excellent catalytic activity (k = 7.86 min-1) in the hydrogenation of hazardous nitroarenes. This intriguing NC delivers a unique opportunity to explore the gram scale synthesis of alloy nanoclusters and to expand the research on Cu and Ag-based NCs.

Halogen and solvent effects induced structural transformation and isostructural luminescence regulation in copper-based hybrid halides

Phase transitions enabling subtle structural and compositional changes offer valuable insights into the luminescence regulation of metal halides. Herein, six copper-based hybrid halides were synthesized, achieving halogen and solvent induced structural transitions, along with luminescence transformations among identical structures through defect filling. These luminescence transitions endow them with suitable applications in anti-counterfeiting.

Flat-Shaped Copper Nanoclusters with Near-Infrared Absorption for Enhanced Photothermal Conversion

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent years, yet the majority of previous studies have primarily concentrated on gold and silver ones. The challenge of controlling the shape of copper nanoclusters in order to investigate their relationship to properties remains a significant concern in contemporary scientific research. In this study, we successfully achieved shape control of a copper nanocluster with a rare flat oblate structure using a combination of multiple ligands (trifluoroacetic acid, 4-fluorothiophenol, and triphenylphosphine). The resulting nanocluster, with the composition Cu62(4-F-PhS)30(CF3COO)8(PPh3)6H10, features a flat metal core of aspect ratio as high as 2.6, which is stabilized by ligands attached to or bridged onto the flat kernel. Unlike most previously reported copper nanoclusters, Cu62 exhibits absorption in the near-infrared range. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the main occurrence of near-infrared transitions takes place at the equatorial radius of the Cu62 nanocluster metal core, corresponding to the radial exciton oscillation caused by the confinement of a flattened inner core structure, similar to the plasmon resonance in metal nanoparticles. The unique flattened oblate structure of the nanocluster can also promote the photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE). The temperature of the cluster solution increases from room temperature to around 90 °C in just 10 min, achieving a PCE of approximately 56%. This study not only has the potential to stimulate further research on both the control of copper nanocluster structures and the exploration of their applications but also provides a model system for investigating the relationship between structure and photothermal conversion of copper nanomaterials.

Surface Structural Symmetry Breaking of Highly Symmetrical Ag29 Nanoclusters

An in-depth understanding of the structural symmetry of nanoclusters benefits the investigation of structure-property correlations. In this study, we accomplished the symmetry breaking of the surface structures of a highly symmetrical Ag29 nanocluster. The Ag29 nanocluster exhibited a highly C3 axisymmetry, while this nanocluster underwent structural symmetry breaking in the presence of large-sized counterions as an asymmetric factor, giving rise to an Ag28 nanocluster with a bare surface and a C1 symmetric overall structure. Despite both the Ag29 and Ag28 nanoclusters exhibiting comparably electronic structures, the highly symmetrical Ag29 nanocluster displayed a significantly higher photoluminescence intensity compared to the asymmetrical Ag28 nanocluster, which has been rationalized from the perspective of their structures and symmetry. Overall, this study presents a novel silver cluster pair with controllably symmetrical or asymmetrical surface structures, allowing for an atomic-level understanding of how structural symmetry influences the photoluminescence of metal nanoclusters.

Rare Earth Single-Atomic Hybrid Glasses for Near-Infrared II Optical Waveguides

The increasing demands for modern information communication and storage necessitate the development of near-infrared (NIR) active optical waveguides. However, achieving efficient NIR emission with minimal optical loss remains a critical challenge. Herein, we present a new class of rare earth single-atomic hybrid glasses, synthesized via bottom-up self-assembly, as a solution to these limitations. By harnessing the ultralong phosphorescence of Nd3+-doped complex glasses, these materials achieve NIR-II emission extending to 1.32 µm with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of ∼5.7%, setting a new record among state-of-the-art rare-earth-based complexes in the NIR-II region. This exceptional performance stems from the efficient sensitization of Nd3+ ions in hybrid glass, with a phosphorescence energy transfer efficiency of 93.55%. Furthermore, these transparent and flexible hybrid glasses trigger optical waveguiding in Eu3+- and Nd3+-doped microstructures, enabling ultralow-loss coefficients of 0.978 dB mm-1 at 819 nm and 5.1 dB mm-1 at 1048 nm, respectively. Therefore, this work not only demonstrates that metal-organic complex glasses with ultralong phosphorescence can effectively serve as sensitizer matrices for boosting NIR-II emission, but also supports the fabrication of 1D and 2D glassy microstructures with ultralow-loss optical waveguiding for advanced NIR-II photonic applications.

Advances and Challenges in X-ray-Excited Scintillators and Their Biomedical Applications: Current Insights and Future Directions

This review explores the pivotal role of scintillators in biomedical applications, with a particular emphasis on their utilization in the context of X-ray excitation. It commences with an in-depth analysis of the two predominant categories of scintillators: inorganic and organic, meticulously delineating their distinctive properties and respective applications. The discourse subsequently advances to explore the critical biomedical applications of X-ray-excited scintillators (XESs), underscoring significant advancements in medical imaging, radiation detection, and dosimetry. Moreover, the review identifies prevailing challenges and limitations in the deployment of these scintillators for biomedical purposes, thereby establishing a robust foundation for ongoing research endeavors. The review outlines potential research directions, advocating for interdisciplinary collaborations to overcome existing barriers. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying areas for future investigation, this review aims to guide researchers in enhancing the efficacy and application of scintillators in biomedical science.

Low Optical Loss and Bent Waveguides: Crystals of a One-Dimensional Pt1Ag14 Nanocluster

Photoluminescent nanoclusters are promising materials for optical waveguides. However, their photon transmission under mechanical stress is very challenging. Here, we report an low-loss metallic nanocluster crystal, [Pt1Ag14(DPPP)6Cl4](SbF6)2 (DPPP = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino) propane), which exhibits stable optical performance with an optical loss coefficient of 7.15 × 10-4 dB·μm-1─lower than most reported inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials. The Pt1Ag14 crystals maintain excellent optical stability under mechanical deformation, with an optical loss difference of only 0.15 × 10-3 dB·μm-1 before and after mechanical stress. Reasonable molecular design endows Pt1Ag14 crystals with robust mechanical flexibility, resulting in their bending radius being smaller than that of nanocluster crystals with similar structures. Structural analysis has shown that multiple π···π, C-H···π, and C-H···F intra- and intermolecular interactions originating from the ligands and between the ligands and counterions ensure molecular and crystal stability under mechanical stress. Metallic nanocluster crystals with low loss and mechanical flexibility generated by rational molecular design offer promising candidates in the fields of active waveguides and flexible electronic materials.

Electric-Field Regulation of Adhesion/De-Adhesion/Release Capacity of Transparent and Electrochromic Adhesive

Removing adhesive nondestructively and intact from the adhered surface is a difficult challenge for advanced adhesive materials. Compared with the commonly used thermal or chemical release, the controlled adhesive release via electric-field offers practical application advantages. However, a noninvasive release mode such as this has not been available for the de-bonding of supramolecular adhesives that originate from small organic molecules. Herein, a conductive hydrogel with surface adhesion and electric field-triggered de-adhesion and release is fabricated from thioctic acid (TA) and L-arginine (LA). The non-covalent intermolecular attractions of poly[TA-LA], especially its electrostatic interactions, not only endow it with useful bulk-state properties and strong adhesion (up to 363.3 kPa) but also generate electric responsiveness for on-demand de-adhesion and release. The poly[TA-LA] adhesive layer can be easily released within a short time (<60 s) under a mild voltage (5≈10 V). After a combined experimental and theoretical investigation, It is concluded that the adhesive-layer morphological and mechanical changes, activated by a weak current (1.1≈3.2 mA), are responsible for the adhesion failure, which takes place primarily at the anode. Importantly, rapid electric release of poly[TA-LA] is applicable at low temperatures (5 V, 60 s, -40 °C) or underwater (5 V, 60 s, 25 °C).

Short Lifetime Radical Metal Cluster Scintillator

Metal clusters, an emerging class of scintillator materials, have attracted much attention owing to their inherently high X-ray absorption, mild synthesis conditions, low toxicity, strong luminescence, and large Stokes shift. However, the decay lifetime of metal clusters is usually on the order of microseconds, which is unfavorable for safety inspection, nondestructive testing, and medical imaging. Here, the open-shell luminescent radical ligand was used to construct the first radical cluster scintillator Cu2I2(L)4. The spin-allowed doublet emission of Cu2I2(L)4 theoretically enabled 100% exciton utilization and exhibited a short radiation decay lifetime on the nanosecond scale. Cu2I2(L)4 can be fabricated into a flexible scintillator screen for X-ray imaging, achieving a high resolution of 30.7 LP mm-1. More importantly, the Cu2I2(L)4 scintillator screen has no residual images during X-ray imaging. This work reports the first luminescent metal cluster with a radical ligand and presents a new strategy for constructing short lifetime X-ray scintillators.

Preparation Methods of Metal Nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters, also known as ultrasmall nanoparticles, represent a promising class of nanomaterials due to their atomically precise characterizations and intriguing chemical-physical properties. The preparation is the cornerstone for advancing the nanocluster science, facilitating their structural determination, property investigation, and practical application. We have been devoted to exploring new and efficient approaches for the high-yield preparation of metal nanoclusters with customized structures and properties. We have proposed and developed four methodologies for the nanocluster preparation, including kinetic control, seeded growth, in situ two-phase ligand exchange, and metal exchange. More than 200 metal nanoclusters have been synthesized and structurally determined, laying the foundation for the elucidation of structure evolutions and structure-property correlations. In this concept, we emphasized our progress in proposing and developing the synthetic mythologies of metal nanoclusters. This Concept hopefully provides researchers attempting to study the preparation methods of metal nanoclusters with several feasible synthetic routes.

Supramolecular transparent plastic engineering via covalent-and-supramolecular polymerization

Supramolecular glass and plastic are a new generation of artificial transparent materials that exhibit excellent optical behavior and processability. However, owing to inherent deficiencies in their mechanical toughness and long-term stability, supramolecular materials lack the potential for functionalization and application. Inspired by the toughening phenomena in biological systems, a synergistic covalent-and-supramolecular polymerization strategy was applied to construct plastic-like supramolecular materials with high transmittance via the solvent-free one-pot amidation of thioctic acid and (poly)amines. Covalent amide linkers, dynamic disulfide bonds, and hydrogen bonds significantly enhance the mechanical toughness and hardness of supramolecular plastic. Greatly benefitting from covalent-and-supramolecular polymerization, not only does the supramolecular plastic exhibit a high mechanical strength of 45.51 MPa and a rigidity of 74.0 HD, but it is also highly resistant to mechanical impact (34.47 kJ m-2). Experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrated that polymeric structures connected via amide units are responsible for the tough mechanical properties, whereas the dynamic and reversible bonding/debonding of disulfide and hydrogen bonds favor energy dissipation, which together convert supramolecular transparent plastic into a rigid and tough material.

Afterglow Copper(I) Iodine Cluster Scintillator

Copper(I) iodine clusters have drawn intense attention due to their advantageous photophysical properties, such as a high luminescence efficiency, large Stokes shift, and tunable luminescence lifetimes. In this work, a copper(I) iodine cluster (Cu2I2-CH3CN) was synthesized, which exhibits unique afterglow emission, ultrahigh quantum yield (90.1 % in solid state) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior. It was found that thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and long-lifetime phosphorescence occur simultaneously in Cu2I2-CH3CN. The unique photoluminescence properties of Cu2I2-CH3CN were attributed to the large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and long-term rigidity of the crystal. The high quantum efficiency, TADF characteristics, and heavy-atom composition of Cu2I2-CH3CN endow it with excellent X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) properties, making it a promising X-ray scintillator. A flexible scintillator screen made of Cu2I2-CH3CN was successfully fabricated and used for X-ray imaging with a spatial resolution of 23.6 LP mm-1.

Guest-Molecule-Induced Glass-Crystal Transition in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Antimony Halides

The glassy state of inorganic-organic hybrid metal halides combines their excellent optoelectronic properties with the outstanding processability of glass, showcasing unique application potential in solar devices, display technologies, and plastic electronics. Herein, by tailoring the organic cation from N-phenylpiperazine to dimethylamine gradually, four types of zero-dimensional antimony halides are obtained with various optical and thermal properties. The guest water molecules in crystal (N-phenylpiperazine)2SbCl6·Cl·5H2O lead to the largest distortion of the Sb-halogen unit, resulting in the red emission different from the yellow emission of other compounds. More importantly, the water molecule-induced hydrogen-bond network in (N-phenylpiperazine)2SbCl6·Cl·5H2O would prolong the relaxation time into an equilibrium state, resulting in the formation of the glassy state. This is different from the previous strategy of adopting large organic cations for glass transition. Through rheological studies, we shape an initial understanding of the underlying kinetics in inorganic-organic hybrid metal halide glass. This work provides a simpler and more convenient approach for developing inorganic-organic hybrid metal halides with superior processing performance.

Emerging 0D Hybrid Metal Halide Luminescent Glasses

0D hybrid metal halide (HMH) luminescent glasses have garnered significant attentions for its chemical diversity in optoelectronic applications and it also retains the skeleton connectivity and coordination mode of the crystalline counterparts while exhibiting various physics/chemistry characteristics distinct from the crystalline states. However, understanding of the glass-forming ability and the specific structural origins underpinning the luminescent properties of 0D HMH glasses remains elusive. In this review, it is started from the solid-liquid phase transition and thermodynamic analysis of 0D HMHs formed through melt-quenching, and summarize the current compounds capable of stably forming glassy phases via chemical structural design. The structural characterization methods are further discussed and highlight the exceptional transparency, specific luminescent properties, and glass crystallization behaviors. Moreover, the application prospects demonstrated by these 0D HMH glasses have been presented accordingly in X-ray detection and imaging, anti-counterfeiting, and information encryption. Finally, perspective is offered into the future development of this emerging family of 0D HMH glasses and their applications.

Reversible Structural Phase Transitions in Zero-Dimensional Cu(I)-Based Metal Halides for Dynamically Tunable Emissions

Exploring structural phase transitions and luminescence mechanisms in zero-dimensional (0D) metal halides poses significant challenges, that are crucial for unlocking the full potential of tunable optical properties and diversifying their functional capabilities. Herein, we have designed two inter-transformable 0D Cu(I)-based metal halides, namely (C19H18P)2CuI3 and (C19H18P)2Cu4I6, through distinct synthesis conditions utilizing identical reactants. Their optical properties and luminescence mechanisms were systematically elucidated by experiments combined with density functional theory calculations. The bright cyan-fluorescent (C19H18P)2CuI3 with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 77 % is attributed to the self-trapped exciton emission. Differently, the broad yellow-orange fluorescence of (C19H18P)2Cu4I6 displays a remarkable PLQY of 83 %. Its luminescence mechanism is mainly attributed to the combined effects of metal/halide-to-ligand charge transfer and cluster-centered charge transfer, which effects stem from the strong Cu-Cu bonding interactions in the (Cu4I6)2- clusters. Moreover, (C19H18P)2CuI3 and (C19H18P)2Cu4I6 exhibit reversible structural phase transitions. The elucidation of the phase transitions mechanism has paved the way for an unforgeable anti-counterfeiting system. This system dynamically shifts between cyan and yellow-orange fluorescence, triggered by the phase transitions, bolstering security and authenticity. This work enriches the luminescence theory of 0D metal halides, offering novel strategies for optical property modulation and fostering optical applications.

Large-Area Metal-Organic Framework Glasses for Efficient X-Ray Detection

Cutting-edge techniques utilizing continuous films made from pure, novel semiconductive materials offer promising pathways to achieve high performance and cost-effectiveness for X-ray detection. Semiconductive metal-organic framework (MOF) glass films are known for their remarkably smooth surface morphology, straightforward synthesis, and capability for large-area fabrication, presenting a new direction for high-performance X-ray detectors. Here, a novel material centered on MOF glasses for highly uniform glass film fabrication customized for X-ray detection is introduced. MOF glasses, composed of zinc and imidazole derivatives, enable the transition from solid to liquid at low temperatures, facilitating the straightforward preparation of large-area and continuous MOF films with high mobility for X-ray device fabrication. Remarkably, MOF glass detectors demonstrate an exceptional sensitivity of 112.8 µC Gyair -1 cm-2 and a detection limit of 0.41 µGyair s-1, making them one of the most sensitive and with the best detection limits reported to date for MOF X-ray detectors. Clear X-ray images are successfully conducted using these developed MOF glass detectors for the first time. This breakthrough in X-ray sensitivity, and detection limit along with the spatial imaging resolution establishes a new standard for developing large-area and efficient MOF-based X-ray detectors with practical applications in medical and security screening.

Superlattice Assembly for Empowering Metal Nanoclusters

ConspectusAtomically precise metal nanoclusters, serving as an aggregation state of metal atoms, display unique physicochemical properties owing to their ultrasmall sizes with discrete electronic energy levels and strong quantum size effects. Such intriguing properties endow nanoclusters with potential utilization as efficient nanomaterials in catalysis, electron transfer, drug delivery, photothermal conversion, optical control, etc. With the assistance of atomically precise operations and theoretical calculations on metal nanoclusters, significant progress has been accomplished in illustrating their structure-performance correlations at the single-molecule level. Such research achievements, in turn, have contributed to the rational design and customization of functional nanoclusters and cluster-based nanomaterials.Most previous studies have focused on investigating structure-property correlations of nanocluster monomers, while the exploration of electronic structures and physicochemical properties of hierarchical cluster-based assembled structures was far from enough. Indeed, from the application aspect, the nanoclusters with controllably assembly states (e.g., crystalline assembled materials, host-guest hybrid materials, amorphous powders, and so on) were more suitable for performance expression relative to those in the monomeric state and more directed to downstream solid-state applications. In this context, more attention should be paid to the state-correlated property variations of metal nanoclusters occurring in their aggregating and assembling processes for better applications in accordance with their aptitude.Crystalline aggregates are crucial in the structural determination of metal nanoclusters, also acting as a cornerstone to analyze the structure-property correlations by affording atomic-level information. The regular arrangement, uniform composition, and close intermolecular distance of the cluster molecules in their supercrystal lattices are beneficial for property retention and amplification from the molecule itself as a monomeric state. Besides, for these nanoparticles with strong quantum size effects, the intercluster distances in the supercrystal lattices are still located at the nanoscale level, wherein the quantum size effect is highly likely to take effect with additional intermolecular synergistic effects. Accordingly, it is expected that novel performances might occur in the crystalline aggregates of nanoclusters that are completely different from those in the monomolecular state.In this Account, we emphasize our efforts in exploring the performance enhancement of atomically precise metal nanoclusters in their crystalline aggregate states, such as thermal stability, photoluminescence, optical activity, and an optical waveguide. Such performance enhancements further supported the practical uses of metal nanoclusters in structure determination, a polarization switch, an optical waveguide device, and so on. We also demonstrated that the differences in physicochemical properties between crystalline aggregates and monomers of metal nanoclusters might be attributed to the change in electronic structures during the crystalline aggregation processes in the superlattice. The "superlattice assembly" is intended to customize the function of cluster-based aggregates for downstream solid-state applications.

The trade-off anionic modulation in metal-organic glasses showing color-tunable persistent luminescence

Ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials provide exciting opportunities for the rational design of persistent luminescence owing to their long-lived excitons. However, conventional rare-earth-based all-inorganic emitters involve high cost and harsh synthesis conditions, and purely organic systems may require complicated synthesis routes and tedious purification. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop a cost-effective and easily manufacturable method for achieving color-tunable RTP-TADF with a long afterglow. Herein, we demonstrate a rational strategy to introduce different anions (Cl-, Br- and OAc- ions) into a Zn-based metal-organic scaffold, which can improve the crystal rigidity and achieve a well-balanced RTP-TADF. Both theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that the adjustment of different anions can effectively modulate the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and the energy gap of singlet-triplet states (ΔEST) and then tailor the afterglow lifetime. Moreover, we prepared dye-doped metal-organic hybrid glasses with remarkable potential for the color-tunable afterglow. Therefore, this work not only provides a new horizon for modulating crystal and glass states with color/lifetime-tunable persistent luminescence, but also contributes to optical information storage and anti-counterfeiting technology.

Bisphosphonium cation based metal halide glass scintillators with tunable melting points

Organic-inorganic metal halide (OIMH) glass offers the advantages of large-scale production, high transparency, and minimal light scattering. However, undesired crystallization in OIMH glass can occur, leading to deteriorated transparency. Herein, a series of bisphosphonium organic cations were designed to construct Mn-based metal halide crystals with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) near unity, alongside the development of highly thermally stable OIMH glasses. Two strategies were employed to lower the melting point of OIMH: alkyl chain elongation and fluorine substitution. The (Hex-3,4-2F)MnBr4·MeOH (Hex-3,4-2F = hexane-1,6-diylbis((3,4-difluorobenzyl)diphenylphosphonium)) crystal delivers a glass transition temperature of 100 °C and the highest T g/T m ratio (0.82) among OIMHs. The resulting OIMH glass exhibits a PLQY of 47.6%, achieves an impressive resolution of 25 lp mm-1 in X-ray imaging, and remains transparent even after being heated at 90 °C for six weeks. These bisphosphonium-based OIMH glasses present a feasible design for the practical application of OIMH glasses in radiation detection.

Research on Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Performance of Tetranuclear Copper(I) Clusters Supported by 2-Mercaptobenz-zole-Type Ligands

Tetrahedral copper(I) clusters [Cu4(MBIZ)4(PPh3)2] (2), [Cu4(MBOZ)4(PPh3)4] (6) (MBIZ = 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, MBOZ = 2-mercaptobenzoxazole) were prepared by regulation of the copper-thiolate clusters [Cu6(MBIZ)6] (1) and [Cu8(MBOZ)8I]- (5) with PPh3. With the presence of iodide anion, the regulation provided the iodide-containing clusters [CuI4(MBIZ)3(PPh3)3I] (3) and [CuI4(MBOZ)3(PPh3)3I] (7). The cyclic voltammogram of 3 in MeCN (0.1 M nBu4NPF6, 298 K) at a scan rate of 100 mV s-1 shows two oxidation processes at Epa = +0.11 and +0.45 V with return waves observed at Epc = +0.25 V (vs. Fc+/Fc). Complex 3 has a higher capability to lose and gain electrons in the redox processes than complexes 2, 4, 4', 6, and 7. Its thermal stability was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic performance of 3 was demonstrated by the catalytic transformation of iodobenzenes to benzonitriles using AIBN as the cyanide source. The nitrile products show potential applications in the preparation of 1,3,5-triazine compounds for organic fluorescence materials.

Relationship between Structural Defects and Free Electrons in Icosahedral Nanoclusters

According to the classic superatom model, metal nanoclusters with a "magic number" of free valence electrons display high stability, manifesting as the closed-shell-dependent electronic robustness. The icosahedral nanobuilding blocks containing eight free electrons were the most common in constructing metal nanoclusters; however, the structure defect-dependent variations of the free electron count in icosahedral configurations are still far from thorough research. Here, we reported a hydride-containing [Pt2Ag15(SAdm)4(DPPOE)4H]2+ nanocluster with two largely defective Pt1Ag8 icosahedral cores. Together with previously reported complete or slightly defective icosahedra in metal nanoclusters, the largely defective Pt1Ag8 core provided important clues to reveal the evolutionary mode of structural defects and free electrons in icosahedral nanoclusters; the free electron count of icosahedron was reduced two-by-two (i.e., from 8e to 6e and then to 4e) accompanied by the structure defection. Overall, the work presented a novel Pt2Ag15 nanocluster with a largely defective core structure that enables an atomic-level understanding of the relationship between structural defects and free electrons in icosahedral nanoclusters.

Emerging Hybrid Metal Halide Glasses for Sensing and Displays

Glassy hybrid metal halides have emerged as promising materials in recent years due to their high structural adjustability and low melting points, offering unique merits that overcome the limitations of their crystalline and polycrystalline counterparts as well as other conventional amorphous semiconductors. This review article comprehensively explores the structural characteristics, electronic properties, and chemical coordination of hybrid metal halides, emphasizing their role in the glass transition from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase. We examine the intrinsic disorder within the amorphous phase that facilitates light transmission and discuss recent advances in device architecture and interface engineering by optimizing the charge transport of glassy hybrid metal halides for high-quality applications. With full theoretical understanding and rational structural design, potential applications in displays, information storage, X-ray imaging, and sensing are highlighted, underscoring the transformative impact of glassy hybrid metal halides in the fields of materials science and information science.