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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Reversible conversion between phosphine protected Au6 and Au8 nanoclusters under oxidative/reductive conditions
Xiujuan Yang1, Xinzhang Lin2, Chao Liu2
1School of Chemistry & Environmental Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China. yjh@cust.edu.cn and Gold Catalysis Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China. jiahuihuang@dicp.ac.cn.
Gold nanoclusters [Au6(dppp)4]2+ and [Au8(dppp)4Cl2]2+ can be reversibly transformed. This research offers new insights into nanocluster relationships and controls their structural evolution.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Gold nanoclusters exhibit unique properties influenced by their size and structure.
- Understanding the interconversion between different gold nanocluster structures is crucial for their application.
- Phosphine ligands play a significant role in stabilizing and functionalizing gold nanoclusters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reversible structural conversion between [Au6(dppp)4]2+ and [Au8(dppp)4Cl2]2+ gold nanoclusters.
- To explore the influence of oxidative/reductive conditions on nanocluster structural dynamics.
- To establish a novel method for controlling the structural evolution of gold nanoclusters.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of phosphine-protected [Au6(dppp)4]2+ and [Au8(dppp)4Cl2]2+ nanoclusters.
- Application of controlled oxidative and reductive conditions to induce structural transformations.
- Characterization of nanocluster structures and interconversion pathways using spectroscopic and analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the reversible conversion between [Au6(dppp)4]2+ and [Au8(dppp)4Cl2]2+ nanoclusters under varying redox conditions.
- Established a direct relationship between the two studied gold nanocluster structures.
- Identified specific oxidative/reductive triggers for controlled structural interconversion.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a novel redox-driven mechanism for structural transformation between specific gold nanoclusters.
- This work provides fundamental insights into the dynamic nature and interconversion of gold nanoclusters.
- A new strategy for precise control over gold nanocluster structural evolution has been developed, opening avenues for tailored nanomaterial design.
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