We have demonstrated the first surfactant-free synthesis of fluorescent Pt nanoclusters in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. The Pt nanoclusters consist of 4 to 6 Pt atoms. They form highly stable dispersions in water, under both acidic (pH 2) and basic conditions (pH 12), and at ionic strengths of 1 M NaCl.

Due to their atomically precise structure, photoluminescent copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) have emerged as promising materials in both fundamental studies and technological applications, such bio-imaging, cell labeling, phototherapy, photo-activated catalysis. In this work, a facile strategy is reported for the synthesis of novel Cu NCs coprotected by thiolate phosphine ligands, formulated [Cu15(...

In order to gain insight into the nature of chemical bonding of sulfur atoms on coinage metal surfaces, we compare the adsorption energy and structural parameters for sulfur at four-fold hollow (4fh) sites on (100) facets and at three-fold hollow (3fh) sites on (111) facets of Cu nanoclusters. Consistent results are obtained from localized atomic orbital and plane-wave based density functional ...

We investigated the combination of cobalt (Co) and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) for spintronic applications. We deposited Co on HOPG in UHV to study its growth, and to characterize the interfacial electronic and magnetic properties. In our study, we remained in the nucleation-dominated regime with Co coverage below 5%, as characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We obse...

Abstract Accurate identifying and in‐depth understanding of the defect sites in a working nanomaterial could hinge on establishing specific defect‐activity relationships. Yet, atomically precise coinage‐metal nanoclusters (NCs) possessing surface vacancy defects are scarce primarily owing to challenges synthesis isolation such defective NCs. Herein we report mixed‐ligand strategy synthesizing a...

A new nanocluster of atomic precision, Au44(SC2H4Ph)32, is obtained by an oxidation-decomposition-recombination (ODR) process from Au25(SC2H4Ph)18 under mild conditions with high yield (75%). Among the investigated gold nanoclusters, Au44(SC2H4Ph)32 exhibits the highest catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, especially at low temperature, indicating that the catalytic properties...