Triarylborane‐Functionalized Au8Ag8(CCR)16 Nanocluster with Enhanced Lewis Acidity. Issue 1 (26th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Hui; Fan, Jinsong; Ran, Guangliu; Li, Jiang; Wang, Lihua; Zhu, Ying; Shen, Jianlei; Zhang, Wenkai; Chen, Jing; Fan, Chunhai
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials interfaces. Volume 10:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-26
• Subjects: fluorescence -- gold -- Lewis acids -- nanoclusters -- silver; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/admi.202201657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-7350

Abstract

Abstract: Functionalization of ligated metal nanoclusters with versatile ligands is highly desired for wide applications. Lewis acids have shown promise in multiple realms such as self‐assembly and catalysis, which may endow nanoclusters with diverse functions. However, metal nanoclusters with Lewis acid surface have not been reported. Here, the functionalization of a bimetallic nanocluster Au8 Ag8 (CCR)16 with triarylborane (TAB) is reported, which exhibits enhanced Lewis acidity. By using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, the structure of the nanocluster with 16 boron receptor sites is confirmed, which presents ≈15‐fold enhancement of quenching efficiency in sensing fluoride compared to that of free triarylborane ligand. By the combined analysis using ultrafast transient absorption and photoluminescent (PL) decay measurements, the quenching mechanism of Au8 Ag8 to fluoride is elucidated. The PL quenching is realized via two pathways with enhanced non‐radiation energy dissipation, i.e., prolonged electron–phonon coupling and reverse intersystem crossing (RISC). This work may open a new route to diverse applications of metal nanoclusters. Abstract : An Au8 Ag8 bimetallic nanocluster protected by 16 triarylborane ligands is synthesized. The functionalization of Au8 Ag8 (CCR)16 is realized by introducing Lewis acid groups on the surface of nanoclusters, which exhibits enhanced Lewis acidity and high quenching efficiency in sensing fluoride compared to that of free triarylborane ligands.