Abstract
We demonstrated, for the first time, atomically precise synthesis of gold cluster cations by magnetron sputtering of a gold target onto a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2, dppp). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed the formation of cationic species, such as [Au(dppp)n]+ (n = 1, 2), [Au2(dppp)n]2+ (n = 3, 4), [Au6(dppp)n]2+ (n = 3, 4), and [Au11(dppp)5]3+. The formation of [Au(dppp)2]+ was ascribed to ionization of Au(dppp)2 by the reaction with PEG, based on its low ionization energy, theoretically predicted, mass spectrometric detection of deprotonated anions of PEG. We proposed that [Au(dppp)2]+ cations thus formed are involved as key components in the formation of the cluster cations.
Highlights
Magnetron Sputtering Method.Ligand-protected gold clusters with atomically-defined sizes constitute a distinct class of nanomaterials, showing size-specific optical and catalytic properties [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Formation and Characterization of Au Clusters Synthesized by Magnetron Sputtering
Au atoms and clusters generated by the magnetron sputtering were deposited onto the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions of dppp with a concentration of x mM
Summary
Ligand-protected gold clusters with atomically-defined sizes constitute a distinct class of nanomaterials, showing size-specific optical and catalytic properties [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Their conventional synthetic method is based on the chemical reduction of Au(I)-ligand complexes. Key processes involved in the cluster production include the competition between nucleation/cluster growth and passivation with the ligands. The actual processes are much more complicated, such that the choice of precursor complexes is a critical factor that determines the products.
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