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Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Giant Emission Enhancement of Solid-State Gold Nanoclusters by Surface Engineering
Chuanhao Yao1,2,3, Cong-Qiao Xu4, In-Hyeok Park3
1SZU-NUS Collaborative Center and International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronic Science & Technology of Ministry of Education, Engineering Technology Research Center for 2D Materials Information Functional Devices and Systems of Guangdong Province, Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
Abstract:
Ligand-induced surface restructuring with heteroatomic doping is used to precisely modify the surface of a prototypical [Au25 (SR1 )18 ]- cluster (1) while maintaining its icosahedral Au13 core for the synthesis of a new bimetallic [Au19 Cd3 (SR2 )18 ]- cluster (2). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that six bidentate Au2 (SR1 )3 motifs (L2) attached to the Au13 core of 1 were replaced by three quadridentate Au2 Cd(SR2 )6 motifs (L4) to create a bimetallic cluster 2. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate a stronger electronic interaction between the surface motifs (Au2 Cd(SR2 )6 ) and the Au13 core, attributed to a more compact cluster structure and a larger energy gap of 2 compared to that of 1. These factors dramatically enhance the photoluminescence quantum efficiency and lifetime of crystal of the cluster 2. This work provides a new route for the design of a wide range of bimetallic/alloy metal nanoclusters with superior optoelectronic properties and functionality.
