Linker driven site-specific catalysis in atomically precise silver cluster assemblies.

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) exhibit potential as catalysts for electrochemical studies, providing atomic-level insights into mechanisms. However, it remains elusive to construct an integrated catalyst with a molecular-level understanding of its mechanism, especially in silver cluster assemblies. In this study, we have shown that atomically precise Ag cluster assemblies Ag-py, Ag-pyz, Ag-bpy, Ag-bpa, Ag-azopy, (where Ag = secondary building unit, Py = pyridine, pyz = pyrazine, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine, bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, and azopy = 4,4'-azopyridine) serve as paradigms for demonstrating the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), where the catalytic activity is fine-tuned using two functional units: the cluster core and the linkers.

Room-Temperature Deuterium Separation in van Der Waals Gap Engineered Vermiculite Quantum Sieves.

As the demand for nuclear energy grows, enriching deuterium from hydrogen mixtures has become more important. However, traditional methods are either very energy-intensive because they require extremely cold temperatures, or they don't separate deuterium (D) from regular hydrogen (H) very well, with a D/H selectivity of ≈0.71.

Rational design and synthesis of atomically precise nanocluster-based nanocomposites: a step towards environmental catalysis.

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess distinct properties that can present challenges in certain applications. However, integrating these materials to create new composite functional materials has gained significant interest due to their unique characteristics through a range of applications, particularly in catalysis. Considering MOFs as hosts and NCs as guests, several synergistic effects have been observed in composites, particularly in environmental catalytic reactions.

Metal Nanoclusters for Interface Engineering and Improved Photovoltaic Performance in Organic Solar Cells.

Copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs), synthesized by a one-pot synthesis method, were theoretically shown to exhibit a dipole moment and cause work function modification on a surface as observed from Kelvin probe measurement. Here, Cu NCs were used as an interfacial modifier in organic solar cells (OSCs). The effective engineering of the electron transporting layer/active layer interface using Cu NCs resulted in improved photovoltaic performance in fullerene and non-fullerene based OSCs.

Luminescent carbon dots quantum dots and gold nanoclusters as sensors.

Ultra-small nanoparticles, including quantum dots, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and carbon dots (CDs), have emerged as a promising class of fluorescent material because of their molecular-like properties and widespread applications in sensing and imaging. However, the fluorescence properties of ultra-small gold nanoparticles (, AuNCs) and CDs are more complicated and well distinguished from conventional quantum dots or organic dye molecules. At this frontier, we highlight recent developments in the fundamental understanding of the fluorescence emission mechanism of these ultra-small nanoparticles.