Phosphine-induced conversion from Au₃₆ to Au₃₂ for constructing a high-performance CO₂RR catalyst

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Catalysis
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Gold nanoclusters are promising catalysts but their surface structures limit activity.
• Modifying nanocluster surfaces can expose active sites and improve performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel gold nanocluster (Au32) from a precursor (Au36).
• To investigate the structural transformation and its impact on electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Main Methods:

• Phosphine-mediated synthesis of Au32(CHT)20(TFP) from Au36(CHT)24.
• Structural analysis of the nanoclusters.
• Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction measurements.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of Au32 nanocluster via surface modification of Au36.
• Structural transformation exposed bare gold core atoms, creating active sites.
• Au32 exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction, achieving 97.7% faradaic efficiency for CO at -0.8 V.

Conclusions:

• Surface modification of gold nanoclusters is an effective strategy to enhance catalytic activity.
• The novel Au32 nanocluster demonstrates significant potential for efficient CO2 electroreduction.
• Exposing bare metal atoms on nanocluster surfaces is key to unlocking superior catalytic performance.