Doping Copper Atoms into the Nanocluster Kernel: Total Structure Determination of [Cu30Ag61(SAdm)38S3](BPh4).

Abstract

Doping active metal (i.e., Cu) into the kernel of noble metal nanoclusters (i.e., Au/Ag nanocluster) remains challenging in the synthesis of alloy nanoclusters. Herein, we report the synthesis and the total structure determination of a bimetallic [Ag61Cu30(SAdm)38S3]BPh4 (Ag61Cu30) nanocluster. The Ag61Cu30 nanocluster is composed of an Ag13@Cu30 kernel which is further capped by a peripheral Ag48(SAdm)38S3 shell. The icosidodecahedron Cu30 middle layer connects the innermost icosahedral Ag13 core and Ag atoms at the outermost Ag48(SR)38S3 shell, demonstrating that the Cu atoms in the Cu30 layer are in a metallic state.