Ag₉ quantum cluster through a solid-state route

Abstract

A silver cluster having the composition Ag₉(H₂MSA)₇ (H₂MSA = mercaptosuccinic acid) was synthesized in macroscopic quantities using a solid-state route. The clusters were purified by PAGE and characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, luminescence, and NMR spectroscopy, TEM, XPS, XRD, TG, SEM/EDAX, elemental analysis, and ESI MS. The solid-state route provides nearly pure Ag₉ clusters, and nanoparticle contamination was insignificant for routine studies. Formation of various clusters was observed by modifying the conditions. The effect of ligands on the synthesis was checked. The cluster decomposed slowly in water, and the decomposition followed first-order kinetics. However, it could be stabilized in solvent mixtures and in the solid state. Such materials may be important in cluster research because of their characteristic absorption profiles, which are similar to those of Au₂₅ and Au₃₈. The cluster showed luminescence with a quantum yield of 8 × 10^-3 at 5 °C.