Au36(SR)22 Nanocluster and a Periodic Pattern from Six to Fourteen Free Electrons in Core Size Evolution

• DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00152
• Publication Date: 2024-04-16T16:04:44Z
• Authors: Yitong Wang; Christopher G. Gi...; Zhongyu Liu; Kristin Kirschbaum; Dominic Alfonso; Douglas R. Kauffman; Rongchao Jin
• Keywords: Tetrahedron; Quantum yield

An Au36(S-tBu)22 nanocluster (NC) is synthesized using the bulky tert-butyl thiol as ligand. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography reveals that it has an Au25 core which evolves from Au22 in previously reported Au30(S-tBu)18, and protected by longer staple-like surface motifs. The new Au36 NC extends members of face-centered cubic structural evolution adding Au3 triangle Au4 tetrahedron unit. Additionally, found emits near-infrared photoluminescence at 863 nm with a quantum yield (QY) 4.3%, five times larger than Au30(S-tBu)18─the closest neighbor pattern. higher QY attributed to radiative relaxation (kr), resulting effect. Finally, we find staple motifs lead enhanced stability relative Au30(S-tBu)18.