Work

Controlled sol-gel nanoassembly of Au25(SR)18 nanoclusters for structural and functional integration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Structural assembly of nanomaterials imparts new and enhanced properties to individual components. The “Sol-gel” approach has been a traditional technique to connect diverse types of materials. Here, 3-mercaptopropyl (trimethoxysilane) (MPTS), a dual-functional ligand, has been employed to assemble one of the popular members of atomically precise nanoclusters–Au 25 − and connect individual nanoclusters via the formation of the Si(OR) 4 “sol-gel” network during the purification process. Depending on the purification procedure, a particle or film of Au 25 -SiO 2 was achieved and characterized using different techniques. The obtained superstructures of nanomaterials were utilized as a catalyst for the nitrophenol hydrogenation reaction, revealing a 2.5 times faster reaction rate of Au 25 -SiO 2 -film relative to the particle.

Source: Frontiers in Chemistry

DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2026.1982602

Authors: Mahdi Hesari, Marysa Colvin

Institution: State University of New York at Oswego

Language: English

Topic: Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801

Funders: National Science Foundation, State University of New York, State University of New York Oswego, Division of Chemistry