Observing atomically precise nanocluster aggregates in solution by mass photometry

Abstract

We report the first mass photometric characterization of nanoaggregates of atomically precise nanoclusters (NCs) in solution. The differently-sized nanoaggregates of silver–gold alloy NCs, [Ag_11−xAu_x(DPPB)₅Cl₅O₂]²⁺ [x = 1–5 and DPPB = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane], formed in solution, were examined by mass photometry (MP) with a protein calibration. In addition, we conducted MP studies of varying solvent composition to understand the structural evolution of nanoaggregates. The masses of nanoaggregates were correlated to structures of 15 to 50 nm diameter observed in cryo-electron microscopy.