Au10Ag17(TPP)(10)(SR)(6)Cl-5 nanocluster: structure, transformation and the origin of its photoluminescence

Key Words:AGGREGATION-INDUCED EMISSION; PROTECTED AU-25; SILVER; LUMINESCENCE; FLUORESCENCE; ENHANCEMENT; STABILITY; CRYSTAL; CLUSTER

Abstract:Nanocluster photoluminescence (PL) has important practical applications and its rationalization is therefore of significant interest. Here, we report the synthesis, structure determination and photoluminescence of Au10Ag17(TPP)(10)(SR)(6)Cl-5 (TPP = triphenylphosphine, SR = 3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)thiophenol, denoted as Au10Ag17). Au10Ag17 exhibited a low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 2.8%, which could be increased 15-fold by removing the two terminal silver atoms to give AgxAu25-x(SR)(5)(TPP)(10)Cl-2(2+) (x = 11-13, SR = 2-phenylethylmercaptan, abbrev. Au12Ag13). The discovery of such a PL switch constitutes an interesting opportunity to further understand the origin of fluorescence in nanoclusters.

Volume:25

Issue:14

Translation or Not:no