Observation of cluster size growth in CO-directed synthesis of Au25(SR)18 nanoclusters.
The design of an efficient synthesis for large-scale production of atomically precise nanoclusters (NCs) is pivotal in realizing the size-dependent properties of the NCs. A simple and versatile method for producing atomically precise thiolated gold NCs (Au(25)(SR)(18) NCs) in large quantities (~200 mg) is demonstrated in this study. It uses a gaseous reducing agent, carbon monoxide (CO), to support a slow and size-controlled growth of Au(25)(SR)(18) NCs. Absorption measurements of the reaction solution, which underwent distinct color changes (colorless → yellow → orange → brown → red-brown), allowed the formation of thiolated Au(25) NCs to be reconstructed from several key intermediates. The unique reaction environment provided by gaseous CO presents a new synthetic route to fabricate atomically precise metal NCs in quantities large enough for application explorations.
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,  National University of Singapore , 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.
Yong
Y
Yu
Zhentao
Z
Luo
Yue
Y
Yu
Jim Yang
JY
Lee
Jianping
J
Xie
D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010316:Particle Size; D013324:Strontium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D006046:Gold; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D013324:Strontium