Construction of a new Au27Cd1(SAdm)14(DPPF)Cl nanocluster by surface engineering and insight into its structure–property correlation

Abstract

A large surface-to-volume ratio is one of the most intriguing characteristics of nanoclusters, which endows the nanoclusters with novel properties and applications. In this work, surface engineering with a functional DPPF ligand and Cd atom is employed on a Au₃₈ nanocluster to obtain a Au–Cd alloy nanocluster, that is, Au₂₇Cd₁(SAdm)₁₄(DPPF)Cl (Au₂₇Cd₁ in short, DPPF = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, HSAdm = 1-adamantanethiol). Various characterization techniques are used to characterize the precise formulation and atomic structure of the Au₂₇Cd₁ nanocluster. To demonstrate the influence of surface engineering on the properties of nanoclusters, the difference in optical, electrochemical and electrocatalytic activities in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) between Au₃₈ and Au₂₇Cd₁, as well as the stability of Au₂₇Cd₁, is explored. The results indicate the importance of surface engineering, that is, the introduction of functional ligands and surface doping of Cd atoms contribute to the enhancement of catalytic activity. This work sheds light on the surface engineering of nanoclusters and provides a new perspective for the performance optimization of nanoclusters.