Photoluminescence and Excited-State Dynamics of Gold-Copper Nanoclusters

The recent emergence of ligand-protected gold-copper nanoclusters (AuCu NCs) has unveiled a highly promising class of luminescent materials. A growing body of evidence confirms that these bimetallic systems consistently surpass homometallic gold nanoclusters in critical photoluminescence metrics, including quantum yield and triplet-state population. This Perspective initially explores the structure-property relationships in recently reported AuCu NCs, focusing on how the addition of copper modulates their optical absorption and emission. Our emphasis is on the unique photophysical mechanisms and excited-state dynamics that affect their functionality, as revealed through ultrafast spectroscopy studies. Finally, we conclude by discussing the existing challenges and possible future pathways for the strategic design and application of these nanoclusters.