Atomically precise noble metal nanoclusters (NCs), molecular entities comprised of a few metal atoms, belong to a length scale where matter tends to transform from molecules to materials.1,2 Since the last few years, such entities are also seen as molecular materials with nanoscale building blocks.3 NCs with atomic precision and molecule-like properties (UV/Vis., photoluminescence, magnetism, etc.) make them fundamentally unique over their plasmonic counterparts (NPs) and bulk materials.1,2 Atomic precision in such materials (within size ~ 3 nm) offers a direct understanding of structure-property relations. However, obtaining single crystal of noble metal NCs from solution become a challenge due to inhomogeneity during synthesis and thermodynamic barrier (E0Ag+/Ag and Cu+/Cu 0.79 and 0.52 V). Overcoming such issues require a proper synthetic strategy and crystallization techniques. Alternatively, electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is potential to elucidate structure, which ultimately leads to rational understanding of structure-property in biologically relevant protein-protected cluster.4,5,6 My research interest predominantly focusses on such directions and I will discuss on it with my works.
References
1. I. Chakraborty and T. Pradeep, Chem. Rev., 2017, 117, 8208- 8271.
2. R. Jin, C. Zeng, M. Zhou and Y. Chen, Chem. Rev., 2016, 116, 10346-10413.
3. P. Chakraborty, A. Nag, A. Chakraborty and T. Pradeep, Acc.Chem. Res., 2018, 52, 2-11.
4. M. Azubel, J. Koivisto, S. Malola, D. Bushnell, G. L. Hura, A. L. Koh, H. Tsunoyama, T. Tsukuda, M. Pettersson, H. Hakkinen and R. D. Kornberg, Science, 345, 2014,909-912.
5. S. Sen, A. Thaker, L. Sirajudeen, D. Williams, B. L. Nannenga, ACS App. Bio Mater., 5 ,2022,4696-4700.
6. C. G. Jones, M. W. Martynowycz, J. Hattne, T. J. Fulton, B. M. Stoltz, J. A. Rodriguez, H. M. Nelson and T. Gonen, ACS Cent. Sci., 4, 2018, 1587-1592.