Controlled interlinking of Au and Ag nanoclusters using 4-aminothiophenol as molecular interconnects

This work describes the formation of interlinked gold and silver nanoclusters at controlled pH using 4-aminothiophenol (ATP) as a molecular interconnect. UV-visible spectra give on intercrystal plasmon resonance band in the region 550-580 nm. The crystalline heteroassembly formation is also evident from the transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis of the aggregates shows the presence of charged -N species, indicating electrostatic interaction of -N with Ag nanoclusters. Furthermore, electrochemical studies of these heteroassembled systems suggest that silver nanoclusters are not fully passivated by the monolayers of ATP and are accessible for redox reactions.