Host lattice effects on the design of different metallophilic nanoclusters with novel photonic properties

Abstract

Abstract Designing nanocluster systems in given host lattices with specific photophysical properties requires the careful selection of dopants and of the host lattice. Nanocluster size and structure, which influence these properties, are dependent on metallophilic interactions between dopant metal complexes as well as metal complex interactions with the specific host. In this study, luminescence spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, along with atomistic simulations and DFT calculations are utilized to analyze d8 Pt(CN)42− and d10 Cu(CN)2− complexes doped alone or together in different alkali halide hosts. Nanocluster size and structure are found to be dependent upon the host lattice, which are explained by the interaction energies from atomistic calculations. What we observe in these mixed d10-d8 systems with certain host lattices is electron transfer from the d10 donor to the d8 acceptor ion. This electron transfer is not observed in pure systems. The importance of cluster size and structure is exemplified through laser irradiation experiments which show different photochemical reactions with different alkali halide host lattices.