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Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 12958

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Materials Chemistry, Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien), Getreidemarkt 9/BC/1, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Interests: metal nanoclusters; surface chemistry; chirality; heterogeneous catalysis; in situ spectroscopy
Advanced Materials Engineering and Modelling Group, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: nanoclusters and plasmonic nanoparticles; multiphoton microscopy and spectroscopy; biophotonics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to contribute your work to the Special Issue of Molecules titled “Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications”.

The properties of matter are normally defined by its composition. However, at the nanoscale, the properties also change with size and shape and surface effects become a dominant factor that determines the behavior and reactivity of particulate matter. This fact has motivated researchers to better understand the transition from the atomic or molecular scale (a few atoms) towards bulk materials (millions of atoms).

This Special Issue aims to obtain an overview of the latest research in the field of metal nanoparticles and metal clusters and disclose possible future avenues. Metal clusters in the size regime of 10–300 metal atoms are a special class of materials that have gained significant interest, since it was realized that such clusters can be obtained with precise composition and in large quantities. The strongly size-dependent behavior of clusters, in combination with the stability and tunability of properties (solubility, electronic and optical properties), has led to intense research, motivated not only by curiosity, but also by the potential of these materials for applications in fields such as sensing, drug delivery, imaging and catalysis. This Special Issue intends to provide a view of metal nanoparticles/clusters synthesis, characterization or theory, which leads to applications in different fields.

Dr. Noelia Barrabés
Prof. Dr. Joanna Olesiak-Bańska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metal nanoclusters and nanoparticles
  • metal complexes
  • optical properties
  • surface chemistry
  • catalytic properties
  • sensors and markers

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 2221 KiB  
Communication
Controlled Synthesis of Diphosphine-Protected Gold Cluster Cations Using Magnetron Sputtering Method
by Lewei Wang, Tsubasa Omoda, Kiichirou Koyasu and Tatsuya Tsukuda
Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1330; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27041330 - 16 Feb 2022
Viewed by 1962
Abstract
We demonstrated, for the first time, atomically precise synthesis of gold cluster cations by magnetron sputtering of a gold target onto a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2, dppp). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy [...] Read more.
We demonstrated, for the first time, atomically precise synthesis of gold cluster cations by magnetron sputtering of a gold target onto a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2, dppp). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed the formation of cationic species, such as [Au(dppp)n]+ (n = 1, 2), [Au2(dppp)n]2+ (n = 3, 4), [Au6(dppp)n]2+ (n = 3, 4), and [Au11(dppp)5]3+. The formation of [Au(dppp)2]+ was ascribed to ionization of Au(dppp)2 by the reaction with PEG, based on its low ionization energy, theoretically predicted, mass spectrometric detection of deprotonated anions of PEG. We proposed that [Au(dppp)2]+ cations thus formed are involved as key components in the formation of the cluster cations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications)
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12 pages, 1265 KiB  
Article
Plasmonic Enhancement of Two-Photon Excited Luminescence of Gold Nanoclusters
by Anna Pniakowska and Joanna Olesiak-Banska
Molecules 2022, 27(3), 807; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27030807 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3047
Abstract
Plasmonic-enhanced luminescence of single molecules enables imaging and detection of low quantities of fluorophores, down to individual molecules. In this work, we present two-photon excited luminescence of single gold nanoclusters, Au18(SG)14, in close proximity to bare gold nanorods (AuNRs). [...] Read more.
Plasmonic-enhanced luminescence of single molecules enables imaging and detection of low quantities of fluorophores, down to individual molecules. In this work, we present two-photon excited luminescence of single gold nanoclusters, Au18(SG)14, in close proximity to bare gold nanorods (AuNRs). We observed 25-times enhanced emission of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) in near infrared region, which was mainly attributed to the resonant excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of AuNRs and spectral overlap of LSPR band with photoluminescence of AuNCs. This work is an initial step in application of combined nanoparticles: gold nanorods and ultrasmall nanoclusters in a wide range of multiphoton imaging and biosensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications)
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18 pages, 3807 KiB  
Article
Plasmonic Circular Dichroism in Chiral Gold Nanowire Dimers
by Daniele Toffoli, Marco Medves, Giovanna Fronzoni, Emanuele Coccia, Mauro Stener, Luca Sementa and Alessandro Fortunelli
Molecules 2022, 27(1), 93; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27010093 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2244
Abstract
We report a computational study at the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) level of the chiro-optical spectra of chiral gold nanowires coupled in dimers. Our goal is to explore whether it is possible to overcome destructive interference in single nanowires that damp chiral [...] Read more.
We report a computational study at the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) level of the chiro-optical spectra of chiral gold nanowires coupled in dimers. Our goal is to explore whether it is possible to overcome destructive interference in single nanowires that damp chiral response in these systems and to achieve intense plasmonic circular dichroism (CD) through a coupling between the nanostructures. We predict a huge enhancement of circular dichroism at the plasmon resonance when two chiral nanowires are intimately coupled in an achiral relative arrangement. Such an effect is even more pronounced when two chiral nanowires are coupled in a chiral relative arrangement. Individual component maps of rotator strength, partial contributions according to the magnetic dipole component, and induced densities allow us to fully rationalize these findings, thus opening the way to the field of plasmonic CD and its rational design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications)
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13 pages, 1578 KiB  
Article
On the Synergism of Biogenic Gold Nanoparticles and Hydroxyaluminum Phthalocyanines in the Photoeradication of Staphylococcus aureus
by Irena Maliszewska
Molecules 2021, 26(23), 7378; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26237378 - 05 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1625
Abstract
Due to the unusual properties of gold nanoparticles, these structures are widely used in medicine and biology. This paper describes for the first time the synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles by the cell-free filtrate obtained from the Coriolus versicolor biomass and the use [...] Read more.
Due to the unusual properties of gold nanoparticles, these structures are widely used in medicine and biology. This paper describes for the first time the synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles by the cell-free filtrate obtained from the Coriolus versicolor biomass and the use of these biogenic nanostructures to increase the photosensitizing efficiency of di- (AlPcS2) and tetrasulfonated (AlPcS4) hydroxyaluminum phthalocyanines in antibacterial photodynamic therapy. The obtained monodisperse particles were extremely stable, and this remarkable stability was due to the presence of phosphoprotein as a capping agent. The studied gold nanoparticles had a spherical shape, were uniformly distributed, and were characterized by a single plasmon band at wavelength of 514–517 nm. Almost 60% of the gold particles were found to be in the range of 13 to 15 nm. In accordance with the regulations of the American Microbiological Society, indicating that any antimicrobial technique must kill at least 3 log CFU (99.9%) to be accepted as “antimicrobial”, this mortality of Staphylococcus aureus was shown to be achieved in the presence of AlPcS4 + AuNPs mixture and 4.8 J cm−2 light dose compared to AlPcS4 alone, which required a light dose of 24 J cm−2. The best effect of increasing the effectiveness of combating this pathogen was observed in the case of AlPcS2 + AuNPs as a photosensitizing mixture. The light dose of 24 J cm−2 caused a lethal effect of the studied coccus in the planktonic culture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications)
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15 pages, 3683 KiB  
Article
Optical Activity of Metal Nanoclusters Deposited on Regular and Doped Oxide Supports from First-Principles Simulations
by Luca Sementa, Mauro Stener and Alessandro Fortunelli
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 6961; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26226961 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1484
Abstract
We report a computational study and analysis of the optical absorption processes of Ag20 and Au20 clusters deposited on the magnesium oxide (100) facet, both regular and including point defects. Ag20 and Au20 are taken as models of metal [...] Read more.
We report a computational study and analysis of the optical absorption processes of Ag20 and Au20 clusters deposited on the magnesium oxide (100) facet, both regular and including point defects. Ag20 and Au20 are taken as models of metal nanoparticles and their plasmonic response, MgO as a model of a simple oxide support. We consider oxide defects both on the oxygen anion framework (i.e., a neutral oxygen vacancy) and in the magnesium cation framework (i.e., replacing Mg++ with a transition metal: Cu++ or Co++). We relax the clusters’ geometries via Density-Functional Theory (DFT) and calculate the photo-absorption spectra via Time-Dependent DFT (TDDFT) simulations on the relaxed geometries. We find that the substrate/cluster interaction induces a broadening and a red-shift of the excited states of the clusters, phenomena that are enhanced by the presence of an oxygen vacancy and its localized excitations. The presence of a transition-metal dopant does not qualitatively affect the spectral profile. However, when it lies next to an oxygen vacancy for Ag20, it can strongly enhance the component of the cluster excitations perpendicular to the surface, thus favoring charge injection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications)
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7 pages, 1396 KiB  
Communication
The Au25(pMBA)17Diglyme Cluster
by James Armstrong and Chris J. Ackerson
Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2562; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26092562 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1720
Abstract
A modification of Au25(pMBA)18 that incorporates one diglyme ligand as a direct synthetic product is reported. Notably the expected statistical production of clusters containing other ligand stoichiometries is not observed. This Au25(pMBA)17diglyme product is characterized by [...] Read more.
A modification of Au25(pMBA)18 that incorporates one diglyme ligand as a direct synthetic product is reported. Notably the expected statistical production of clusters containing other ligand stoichiometries is not observed. This Au25(pMBA)17diglyme product is characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and optical spectroscopy. Thiolate for thiolate ligand exchange proceeds on this cluster, whereas thiolate for diglyme ligand exchange does not. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergy of Nanoparticles/Clusters Properties and Applications)
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