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A Semiconductor Nanocluster Platform with Four Structural Configurations: An Ionic Pair with Tunable Chirality.

Hao Fang¹, Longlong Geng², Zheng Zhou¹

¹Interdisciplinary Materials Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China.

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|August 12, 2025

Summary

Researchers created a unique ionic pair of semiconductor nanoclusters, [S-Cu56]·[S@S-Cu56], featuring opposite charges and an onion-like structure. This system allows for chirality to be introduced, leading to novel chiroptical properties.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

Clusters are atomic ensembles with unique properties.
Isostructural clusters can have opposite charges, enabling reactions.
Copper sulfide nanoclusters offer potential for novel electronic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize a novel ionic bi-nanocluster system.
To investigate the structural and electronic properties of co-crystallized copper sulfide nanoclusters.
To explore the introduction of chirality and its effect on chiroptical responses.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of co-crystallized ionic pair of semiconductor nanoclusters: [Cu56S12(SAdm)20(PP)10]+[S@Cu56S12(SAdm)20(PP)10]-.
Structural analysis of the onion-like nanocluster configuration.
Chiral ligand incorporation and circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Main Results:

Successful formation of an ionic bi-nanocluster system ([S-Cu56]·[S@S-Cu56]) from a neutral precursor.
Demonstration of nearly isostructural nanoclusters with opposite charges differing by a central S2- ion.
Concurrent introduction of chirality to inorganic cores, resulting in distinct chiroptical responses.

Conclusions:

The ionic bi-nanocluster system represents a new platform for p-type copper sulfide semiconductors.
The unique structure offers potential for novel electrical properties.
Chirality can be controllably imparted, enabling tunable chiroptical applications.