Regulation of the photophysical dynamics of metal nanoclusters by manipulating single-point defects.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41249130.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-65024-3 and PMC identifier 12623803.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Metal nanoclusters have served as an emerging class of programmable nanomaterials with customized structures. However, it remains highly challenging to achieve the single-atom regulation of metal nanoclusters without altering their structural frameworks. Here, we achieve the single-point defects manipulation based upon a cluster pair of Au<sub>21</sub> and Au<sub>22</sub> by meticulously complementing the surface defects of the former nanocluster with an additional single-Au complex. The two nanoclusters exhibited identical geometric structures, but their pronounced quantum-confinement effects resulted in different electronic properties, evident in their distinct optical absorption and emission characteristics. Temperature-dependent steady-state photoluminescence spectra and femtosecond transient absorption spectra showed that the manipulation of a single-point defect in Au<sub>22</sub> inhibited non-radiative decay pathways, reduced electron loss at higher energy levels, and accelerated intersystem crossing, which ultimately enhanced its emission intensity. Overall, the Au<sub>21</sub> and Au<sub>22</sub> cluster system in this study provides a cluster platform with controllable surface single-point defects, enabling the regulation of the photophysical dynamics at the atomic level.