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A Simple Method for the Size Controlled Synthesis of Stable Oligomeric Clusters of Gold Nanoparticles under Ambient Conditions
Published on: February 5, 2016
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Atomic structure control of size-selected gold nanoclusters during formation
Simon R Plant1, Lu Cao, Richard E Palmer
1Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham , Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 8, 2014
Summary
Researchers can control the atomic structure of gold nanoclusters (Au923) by adjusting formation parameters. This method allows for the selective synthesis of specific nanocluster isomers, paving the way for tailored nanomaterial properties.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling the atomic structure of metal nanoclusters is crucial for tuning their properties.
- Gold nanoclusters (Au923) can exist in various isomeric forms, including icosahedral (Ih), decahedral (Dh), and face-centered cubic (fcc).
- Previous methods often result in a mixture of isomers, limiting structure-property relationship studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate control over the atomic structure of size-selected gold nanoclusters (Au923) by manipulating gas-phase formation parameters.
- To identify and quantify the proportions of different isomers (Ih, Dh, fcc) formed under varying conditions.
- To achieve selective synthesis, potentially eliminating specific isomers like the icosahedral form.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variation of gas-phase formation parameters during nanocluster generation.
- Size-selection of gold nanoclusters to isolate Au923.
- Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) for atomic structure determination.
- Isomer identification and quantification (Ih, Dh, fcc).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated ability to control the isomeric distribution of Au923 nanoclusters.
- Identified specific formation conditions that favor certain isomers.
- Successfully eliminated icosahedral (Ih) isomers under optimized conditions.
- Quantified isomer proportions using HAADF-STEM imaging.
Conclusions:
- Gas-phase formation parameter control offers a pathway to selectively synthesize gold nanocluster isomers.
- Elimination of specific isomers, such as Ih, is achievable.
- This control enables the future preparation of isomerically pure nanocluster ensembles.
- Future studies can investigate nanocluster properties as a function of both size and atomic configuration.
