Assembly\nof Atomically Precise Silver Nanoclusters\ninto Nanocluster-Based Frameworks

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate an approach\nto synthesizing and structurally\ncharacterizing three atomically precise anion-templated silver thiolate\nnanoclusters, two of which form one- and two-dimensional structural\nframeworks composed of bipyridine-linked nanocluster nodes (referred\nto as nanocluster-based frameworks, NCFs). We describe the critical\nrole of the chloride (Cl^–) template in controlling\nthe nanocluster’s nuclearity with atomic precision and the\neffect of a single Ag atom difference in the nanocluster’s\nsize in controlling the NCF dimensionality, modulating the optical\nproperties, and improving the thermal stability. With atomically precise\nassembly and size control, nanoclusters could be widely adopted as\nbuilding blocks for the construction of tunable cluster-based framework\nmaterials.