Chiral Ag₂₃ nanocluster with open shell electronic structure and helical face-centered cubic framework.

ABSTRACT: We report the synthesis and crystal structure of a nanocluster composed of 23 silver atoms capped by 8 phosphine and 18 phenylethanethiolate ligands. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the kernel of the Ag nanocluster adopts a helical face-centered cubic structure with C₂ symmetry. The thiolate ligands show two binding patterns with the surface Ag atoms: tri- and tetra-podal types. The tetra-coordination mode of thiolate has not been found in previous Ag nanoclusters. No counter ion (e.g., Na⁺ and NO₃^-) is found in the single-crystal and the absence of such ions is also confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, indicating electrical neutrality of the nanocluster. Interestingly, the nanocluster has an open shell electronic

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5821857 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature