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Dynamic Tracking and Photocatalytic Performance of Single Cd Atom Re-Doping
Wenjun Liu1, He Wang1, Xiaoya Zhang1
1Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry and Anhui Province, Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China.
The doping of cadmium (Cd) into gold (Au) nanoclusters, specifically Au19Cd3 to Au18Cd4, was studied. Time-dependent thin-layer chromatography (TD-TLC) revealed a gradual conversion, enhancing photocatalytic activity.
Area of Science:
- Nanochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Gold-cadmium nanoclusters are of interest for their unique properties.
- Understanding the synthesis and transformation of these clusters is crucial for their application.
- Previous kinetic studies were limited by analytical techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the doping process of cadmium (Cd) into Au19Cd3 nanoclusters.
- To elucidate the kinetic pathway from Au19Cd3 to Au18Cd4 nanoclusters.
- To explore the impact of Cd doping on the photocatalytic activity of these nanoclusters.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Au19Cd3 and Au18Cd4 nanoclusters using 3,5-Dimethylbenzenethiol (3,5-DMBT).
- Kinetic analysis using time-dependent UV-vis spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).
- Introduction of time-dependent thin-layer chromatography (TD-TLC) for improved kinetic resolution.
Main Results:
- The conversion of Au19Cd3 to Au18Cd4 was confirmed to be gradual and equiproportional using TD-TLC.
- The doping behavior of the fourth Cd atom was traced, aided by the crystal structure of Au18Cd4.
- Photocatalytic studies demonstrated that increased cadmium doping enhances catalytic activity.
Conclusions:
- TD-TLC is an effective method for studying the kinetics of nanocluster transformations.
- The doping of Cd into Au nanoclusters is a controllable process with implications for catalytic performance.
- Further Cd doping in Au-Cd nanoclusters leads to enhanced photocatalytic efficiency.
