Building Block Metal Nanocluster-Based Growth in 1D Direction

Abstract

Metal nanoclusters with precisely modulated structures at the nanoscale give us the opportunity to synthesize and investigate 1D nanomaterials at the atomic level. Herein, it realizes selective 1D growth of building block nanocluster "Au₁₃ Cd₂ " into three structurally different nanoclusters: "hand-in-hand" (Au₁₃ Cd₂ )₂ O, "head-to-head" Au₂₅ , and "shoulder-to-shoulder" Au₃₃ . Detailed studies further reveals the growth mechanism and the growth-related tunable properties. This work provides new hints for the predictable structural transformation of nanoclusters and atomically precise construction of 1D nanomaterials.

Keywords: 1D linear growth; building block; growth mechanism; nanoclusters; selective synthesis.