Silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) are nanoscale aggregates that possess molecular-like discrete energy levels, resulting in electronic configuration-dependent tunable luminescence spanning the entire visible range. Benefiting from the efficient ion exchange capacity, nanometer dimensional cages, and high thermal and chemical stabilities, zeolites have been employed as desirable inorganic matrices to disperse and stabilize Ag NCs. This paper reviewed the recent research progresses on the luminescence properties, spectral manipulation, as well as the theoretical modelling of electronic structure and optical transition of Ag NCs confined inside various zeolites with different topology structures. Furthermore, potential applications of the zeolite-encaged luminescent Ag NCs in lighting, gas monitoring and sensing were presented. This review concludes with a brief comment on the possible future directions in the study of zeolite-encaged luminescent Ag NCs.
Keywords: applications; luminescence mechanism; luminescence properties; silver nanoclusters; spectral manipulation; zeolite.