Deciphering icosahedra structural evolution with atomically precise silver nanoclusters.
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| Title: | Deciphering icosahedra structural evolution with atomically precise silver nanoclusters. |
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| Authors: | Hu, Feng, Yang, Gaoyuan, Zheng, Lu-Ming, Liang, Gui-Jie, Wang, Quan-Ming |
| Source: | Science. 8/28/2025, Vol. 389 Issue 6763, p921-924. 4p. |
| Subjects: | Icosahedra, Silver nanoparticles, Atomic structure, Electronic excitation, Surface plasmon resonance |
| Abstract: | Determining the atomic structure of nanoparticles (NPs) is critical for understanding their structural evolution and properties. However, controlling the growth of multiply-twinned metal NPs remains challenging because of numerous competing pathways. In this work, we report the synthesis of two giant silver icosahedral nanoclusters, [Ag213(C≡CR1)96]5− and [Ag429Cl24(C≡CR2)150]5− (Ag213 and Ag429, R1 =3,4,5-F3C6H2 and R2 = 4-CF3C6H4), achieved through ligand engineering and kinetic control. Single-crystal x-ray diffraction reveals that Ag213 and Ag429 have multilayered icosahedral Ag141 |(Ag13@Ag42@Ag86) and Ag297 (Ag13@Ag42@Ag92@Ag150) cores, respectively. Notably, Ag429 with 260 valence electrons is the largest Ag0-containing nanocluster reported to date. These two giant silver nanoclusters are metallic in nature, as confirmed by their plasmonic absorption and pump-power–dependent excited-state dynamics. Their atomically precise structures support the layer-by-layer evolution from nuclei to seeds of silver icosahedra. Editor's summary: The morphology of nanoparticles is the origin of many of their interesting properties. However, understanding their formation process remains a grand challenge because of complex reaction pathways and the small size of evolving species. Through careful design of ligands and reducing agents, Hu et al. synthesized two giant silver icosahedral nanoclusters containing 213 and 429 silver atoms, which serve as model systems for studying icosahedra formation. X-ray diffraction studies revealed multilayered configurations, supporting a layer-by-layer evolution from nuclei to seeds. The emergence of surface plasmon resonance confirms that these silver nanoclusters are metallic. —Jack Huang [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Determining the atomic structure of nanoparticles (NPs) is critical for understanding their structural evolution and properties. However, controlling the growth of multiply-twinned metal NPs remains challenging because of numerous competing pathways. In this work, we report the synthesis of two giant silver icosahedral nanoclusters, [Ag213(C≡CR1)96]5− and [Ag429Cl24(C≡CR2)150]5− (Ag213 and Ag429, R1 =3,4,5-F3C6H2 and R2 = 4-CF3C6H4), achieved through ligand engineering and kinetic control. Single-crystal x-ray diffraction reveals that Ag213 and Ag429 have multilayered icosahedral Ag141 |(Ag13@Ag42@Ag86) and Ag297 (Ag13@Ag42@Ag92@Ag150) cores, respectively. Notably, Ag429 with 260 valence electrons is the largest Ag0-containing nanocluster reported to date. These two giant silver nanoclusters are metallic in nature, as confirmed by their plasmonic absorption and pump-power–dependent excited-state dynamics. Their atomically precise structures support the layer-by-layer evolution from nuclei to seeds of silver icosahedra. Editor's summary: The morphology of nanoparticles is the origin of many of their interesting properties. However, understanding their formation process remains a grand challenge because of complex reaction pathways and the small size of evolving species. Through careful design of ligands and reducing agents, Hu et al. synthesized two giant silver icosahedral nanoclusters containing 213 and 429 silver atoms, which serve as model systems for studying icosahedra formation. X-ray diffraction studies revealed multilayered configurations, supporting a layer-by-layer evolution from nuclei to seeds. The emergence of surface plasmon resonance confirms that these silver nanoclusters are metallic. —Jack Huang [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00368075 |
| DOI: | 10.1126/science.adx6639 |
