Polymorphism in magic-sized Au144(SR)60 clusters.
Polymorphism in magic-sized Au144(SR)60 clusters.
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DOI：
10.1038/ncomms11859
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发表时间：
2016-06-14
影响因子：
16.6
通讯作者：
Billinge SJ
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Jensen KM;Juhas P;Tofanelli MA;Heinecke CL;Vaughan G;Ackerson CJ;Billinge SJ
超小、神奇大小的金属纳米团簇是一类重要的新型材料，具有介于分子和粒子之间的特性。然而，它们的小尺寸对传统的结构表征方法提出了挑战。本文介绍了通过x射线粉末衍射数据的原子对分布函数分析获得的超稳定Au144(SR)60魔术级纳米团簇的结构。该研究揭示了这些原型纳米团簇的结构多态性。除了证实理论预测的二十面体核簇外，我们还发现样品具有截断的十面体核簇结构，一些样品显示两种簇结构共存。虽然团簇在大小上是单分散的，但结构多样性是明显的。多态性的发现将为纳米工程开辟一个新的领域。金纳米团簇是重要的纳米材料，但如果单晶不能生长，它们的结构分配将是具有挑战性的。本文作者利用x射线粉末衍射数据对分布函数分析了Au144(SR)60纳米团簇，发现它们具有多态性。
Ultra-small, magic-sized metal nanoclusters represent an important new class of materials with properties between molecules and particles. However, their small size challenges the conventional methods for structure characterization. Here we present the structure of ultra-stable Au144(SR)60 magic-sized nanoclusters obtained from atomic pair distribution function analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data. The study reveals structural polymorphism in these archetypal nanoclusters. In addition to confirming the theoretically predicted icosahedral-cored cluster, we also find samples with a truncated decahedral core structure, with some samples exhibiting a coexistence of both cluster structures. Although the clusters are monodisperse in size, structural diversity is apparent. The discovery of polymorphism may open up a new dimension in nanoscale engineering. Gold nanoclusters are important nanomaterials but their structural assignment can be challenging if single crystals can't be grown. Here, the authors use pair distribution function analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data for Au144(SR)60 nanoclusters, and show that they exhibit polymorphism.