[Cu 15 (PPh 3 ) 6 (PET) 13 ] 2+ : a Copper Nanocluster with Crystallization Enhanced Photoluminescence

Saidkhodzha Nematulloev, Renwu Huang, Jun Yin, Aleksander Shkurenko, Chunwei Dong, Atanu Ghosh, Badriah Jaber Alamer, Rounak Naphade, Mohamed N. Hedhili, Partha Maity, Mohamed Eddaoudi, Omar F. Mohammed, Osman Bakr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Due to their atomically precise structure, photoluminescent copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) have emerged as promising materials in both fundamental studies and technological applications, such as bio-imaging, cell labeling, phototherapy, and photo-activated catalysis. In this work, a facile strategy is reported for the synthesis of a novel Cu NCs coprotected by thiolate and phosphine ligands, formulated as [Cu15 (PPh3 )6 (PET)13 ]2+ , which exhibits bright emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region (≈720 nm) and crystallization-induced emission enhancement (CIEE) phenomenon. Single crystal X-ray crystallography shows that the NC possesses an extraordinary distorted trigonal antiprismatic Cu6 core and a, unique among metal clusters, "tri-blade fan"-like structure. An in-depth structural investigation of the ligand shell combined with density functional theory calculations reveal that the extended CH···π and π-π intermolecular ligand interactions significantly restrict the intramolecular rotations and vibrations and, thus, are a major reason for the CIEE phenomena. This study provides a strategy for the controllable synthesis of structurally defined Cu NCs with NIR luminescence, which enables essential insights into the origins of their optical properties.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2006839
JournalSmall
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 19 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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