Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
A Simple Method for the Size Controlled Synthesis of Stable Oligomeric Clusters of Gold Nanoparticles under Ambient Conditions
Published on: February 5, 2016
Mechanism governing the formation of atomically precise dithiolate-protected gold nanoclusters
Sara Yoshikawa1,2, Tokuhisa Kawawaki1,2, Sakiat Hossain2
1Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8577 Japan tokuhisa.kawawaki.d8@tohoku.ac.jp yuichi.negishi.a8@tohoku.ac.jp.
Researchers developed stable gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) using a mix of bidentate and monodentate ligands. This strategy prevents undesirable polymerization, enhancing the stability and structural integrity of these advanced nanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
Background:
- Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) offer unique properties but often lack stability.
- Alloying and other processes can destabilize nanocluster structures.
- Multi-site thiolates (SR) can enhance gold nanocluster (Au NC) stability via strong Au-S bonds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation mechanism of Au NCs co-protected by bidentate (SR'S) and monodentate (SR) ligands.
- To address the issue of undesirable polymerization caused by bidentate ligands in multi-site SR protection.
- To provide insights for designing stable, architecturally defined Au NCs.
Main Methods:
- Co-protection strategy using bidentate and monodentate ligands.
- Analysis of ligand flexibility and site-specific exchange kinetics.
- Elucidation of nanocluster formation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Identified key factors influencing the formation of co-protected Au NCs.
- Demonstrated how ligand flexibility and exchange kinetics impact NC structure.
- Provided a mechanistic understanding to control NC assembly and prevent cross-linking.
Conclusions:
- Co-protection with bidentate and monodentate ligands offers a route to stable Au NCs.
- Understanding ligand dynamics is crucial for preventing polymerization and achieving rigid architectures.
- This work facilitates the rational design of robust, precisely structured metal nanoclusters.
