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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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Controllable synthesis and electrocatalytic applications of atomically precise gold nanoclusters
Qingyi Zhu1, Xiaoxiao Huang1, Yunchu Zeng1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 China tianshubo@mail.buct.edu.cn.
Nanoscale Advances
|September 22, 2022
Summary
Atomically precise gold nanoclusters offer unique properties for energy and environmental applications. This review covers recent advancements in their synthesis and electrochemical uses, particularly in oxygen reduction and evolution reactions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Nanoclusters, particularly gold nanoclusters, are nanoscale materials (2-3 nm) composed of metal atoms and ligands.
- Atomically precise gold nanoclusters exhibit remarkable stability and unique structural characteristics, driving extensive research.
- These nanoclusters possess significant potential in electrochemical catalysis, crucial for energy and environmental applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of recent synthesis methodologies for atomically precise gold nanoclusters.
- To review the electrochemical applications of these gold nanoclusters, focusing on their catalytic properties.
- To highlight the advancements in the field of gold nanocluster research in recent years.
Main Methods:
- Review of established synthesis techniques such as the Brust-Schiffrin and size-focusing methods.
- Exploration of novel synthesis approaches including anti-galvanic reduction, ligand-exchange reactions, and seed growth.
- Analysis of electrochemical catalytic performance, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Main Results:
- Multiple synthetic routes exist for creating atomically precise gold nanoclusters.
- Gold nanoclusters demonstrate promising catalytic activity in key electrochemical reactions.
- Recent research has expanded the scope of synthesis and application for these materials.
Conclusions:
- Atomically precise gold nanoclusters are synthesized through diverse and evolving methods.
- Their unique properties make them valuable for electrochemical catalysis in energy and environmental fields.
- Continued research promises further development in both synthesis and application of gold nanoclusters.

