title: Precursor engineering and controlled conversion for the synthesis of monodisperse thiolate-protected metal nanoclusters.
abstract: In very recent years, thiolate-protected metal nanoclusters (or thiolated MNCs) with core sizes smaller than 2 nm have emerged as a new direction in nanoparticle research due to their discrete and size dependent electronic structures and molecular-like properties, such as HOMO-LUMO transitions in optical absorptions, quantized charging, and strong luminescence. Synthesis of monodisperse thiolated MNCs in sufficiently large quantities (up to several hundred micrograms) is necessary for establishing reliable size-property relationships and exploring potential applications. This Feature Article reviews recent progress in the development of synthetic strategies for the production of monodisperse thiolated MNCs. The preparation of monodisperse thiolated MNCs is viewed as an engineerable process where both the precursors (input) and their conversion chemistry (processing) may be rationally designed to achieve the desired outcome - monodisperse thiolated MNCs (output). Several strategies for tailoring the precursor and the conversion process are analyzed to arrive at a unifying understanding of the processes involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Qiaofeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Zhentao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jim Yang
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D001895:Boron / Q000737:chemistry; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D006046:Gold; D001895:Boron