Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Source: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11859
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Colorado State University, Villum Fonden, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, National Institutes of Health, Office of Science, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, Basic Energy Sciences, Laboratory Directed Research and Development, Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Awards: G102163711, G107546177, G1126863173, G1285306620, G1286251239, G1313983767, G132563423, G1393978717, G1572106353, G1664757510, G171842289, G1847291448, G2287611682, G241279073, G262962599, G3075337988, G3262563802, G338944111, G357145406, G426311843, G453342502, G4920325777, G498139845, G516474873, G5292656900, Clonable Nanoparticles, G5387317844, G549834383, G5535608740, G5765906131, G6411573059, G6848031779, G6918803902, G6965541988, G7103058909, IMPROVED MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES FOR LARGE AREA CRYOGENIC DETECTOR WINDOWS, G7463374569, G7583137537, G788322952, G8507651203, G8689096299, G969889393, G993149817
OpenAlex ID: W2420041673