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Published on: March 4, 2021
Atomically resolved Au52Cu72(SR)55 nanoalloy reveals Marks decahedron truncation and Penrose tiling surface
Yongbo Song1,2, Yingwei Li3, Hao Li1,2
1Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, 230601, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Gold-copper alloys have rich forms. Here we report an atomically resolved [Au52Cu72(p-MBT)55]+Cl- nanoalloy (p-MBT = SPh-p-CH3). This nanoalloy exhibits unusual structural patterns. First, two Cu atoms are located in the inner 7-atom decahedral kernel (M7, M = Au/Cu). The M7 kernel is then enclosed by a second shell of homogold (Au47), giving rise to a two-shelled M54 (i.e. Au52Cu2) full decahedron. A comparison of the non-truncated M54 decahedron with the truncated homogold Au49 kernel in similar-sized gold nanoparticles provides for the first time an explanation for Marks decahedron truncation. Second, a Cu70(SR)55 exterior cage resembling a 3D Penrose tiling protects the M54 decahedral kernel. Compared to the discrete staple motifs in gold:thiolate nanoparticles, the Cu-thiolate surface of Au52Cu72 forms an extended cage. The Cu-SR Penrose tiling retains the M54 kernel's high symmetry (D5h). Third, interparticle interactions in the assembly are closely related to the symmetry of the particle, and a "quadruple-gear-like" interlocking pattern is observed.
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