The one-step direct synthesis and structure of Au12Ag27Cu5 nanocluster

Abstract

Ternary Au 12 Ag 27 Cu 5 alloy nanoclusters were rapidly synthesized of by one-step method. The molecular structure has exceptionally high symmetry, and it contains of a two-shell Au 12 @Ag 20 Keplerate core protected by five AgCu(SR) 5 units and one Ag 2 (SR) 5 unit. • Noble metal nanoclusters protected by various ligands have precise atomic arrangement and quantum size effects, which have been widely used in different research fields, such as electrochemistry, sensors, biology and catalysis. • With respect to alloy nanoclusters, the intermetal synergistic effect alters the electronic structure and physicochemical properties, resulting in enhanced performance in luminescence, catalysis, and stability, in comparison with single metal nanoclusters. • The single and binary alloy nanoclusters were widely synthesized. • There are only a few reports on the synthesis and structure of ternary nanoclusters. • Therefore, the synthesis of ternary alloy nanoclusters is lack. • Herein, we employed the one-step rapid synthesis to obtain Au 12 Ag 27 Cu 5 ternary nanocluster. • And the crystal structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. • Our research provides a simple one-step method to construct ternary alloy metal nanoclusters Metal nanoclusters have precise atomically structures, quantum size effect and molecule-like properties, intriguing great potential for applications in various fields. Controlling synthesis of nanocluster is very important in nanoscience. Here, we presented a new strategy for one-step simple synthesis of ternary alloy Au 12 Ag 27 Cu 5 nanoclusters. The atomically precise crystal structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The optical property of Au 12 Ag 27 Cu 5 nanocluster shows the absorption peaks at 363, 478, 528 and 619 nm. This research provides a one-pot method to construct ternary alloy metal nanoclusters.