Abstract
Gold monolayer protected clusters (MPCs) exhibit strong quantum confinement effects andsize dependent electronic, optical and chemical properties. Chemical tuning ofthese properties can be achieved by established synthesis methods, providing anexcellent system for the study of the relationship between chemical and electronicstructure. In this paper, the first electronic spectra of individual Au MPCs (Au25) acquired by single electron tunneling force spectroscopy on non-conducting silicondioxide surfaces are reported. A HOMO–LUMO (highest occupied molecularorbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy gap is observed in theAu25 spectra. Hysteretic charging of the particles is also observed while obtaining the energyspectra. The new single electron tunneling measurement methodology is described. Amodel explaining the measurements supports the existence of mid-HOMO–LUMO gapdefect states.
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