One step synthesis of the smallest photoluminescent and paramagnetic PVP-protected gold atomic clusters.
Gold atomic clusters of only two and three atoms were prepared by a simple electrochemical technique based on the anodic dissolution of a gold electrode in the presence of PVP, and subsequent electroreduction of the Au-PVP complexes. These clusters show stable photoluminescent and magnetic properties, which make them the smallest and most elemental gold (0) building blocks in nature (after atoms) bringing new possibilities to construct novel nano/microstructures with large potential interest in biomedicine, catalysis, and so forth.
Santiago González
Beatriz
B
Laboratorio de Magnetismo y Nanotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. beatriz.santiago@usc.es
Rodríguez
María J
MJ
Blanco
Carmen
C
Rivas
José
J
López-Quintela
M Arturo
MA
Gaspar Martinho
José M
JM