Interdependence between nanoclusters AuAg24 and Au2Ag41
Danyu Liu, Wenjun Du, Shuang Chen, Xi Kang, Along Chen, Yaru Zhen, Shan Jin, Daqiao Hu, Shuxin Wang, Manzhou Zhu
Abstract
Abstract Whole series of nanoparticles have now been reported, but probing the competing or coexisting effects in their synthesis and growth remains challenging. Here, we report a bi-nanocluster system comprising two ultra-small, atomically precise nanoclusters, AuAg 24 (SR) 18 − and Au 2 Ag 41 (SR) 26 (Dppm) 2 + (SR = cyclohexyl mercaptan, Dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)-methane). The mechanism by which these two nanoclusters coexist is elucidated, and found to entail formation of the unstable AuAg 24 (SR) 18 − , followed by its partial conversion to Au 2 Ag 41 (SR) 26 (Dppm) 2 + in the presence of di-phosphorus ligands, and an interdependent bi-nanocluster system is established, wherein the two oppositely charged nanoclusters protect each other from decomposition. AuAg 24 (SR) 18 and Au 2 Ag 41 (SR) 26 (Dppm) 2 are fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) analysis – it is found that their co-crystallization results in single crystals comprising equimolar amounts of each. The findings highlight the interdependent relationship between two individual nanoclusters, which paves the way for new perspectives on nanocluster formation and stability.