Hierarchical multi-shell 66-nuclei silver nanoclusters trapping subvalent Ag6 kernels

Abstract

Hierarchical nano structures are hard to fabircate. Here, we present three novel hierarchical multi-shell 66-nuclei silver nanoclusters, trapping ultrasmall Ag₆⁴⁺ nano-fragments by nine MoO₄²⁻ ions. This Ag₆@(MoO₄)₉ core is further wrapped by an outer Ag₆₀ shell. The Ag₆ kernel evolves from reduction involving DMF solvent. Carboxylate ligands are very important in the modulation of the polygon patterns on the Ag₆₀ shell.