title: Local structure of fluorescent platinum nanoclusters.
abstract: Fluorescent nanoclusters synthesized from a variety of noble metals have recently been reported in the scientific literature. Various characterization methods have been employed in their study, but uncertainty still remains regarding the local structure of such materials. Herein we present the results of employing X-ray absorption spectroscopy to probe the local structure and electronic properties of platinum nanoclusters reduced and stabilized using N,N-dimethylformamide. Most notable amongst these results is an apparent lack of metallic bonding in the samples studied; in light of these findings, it is proposed that a non-metallic platinum nanocluster is instead responsible for the observed fluorescence behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Department of Chemistry, 6274 Coburg Road, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Duchesne
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang