Controlled Synthesis of Au₂₅ Superatom Using a Dendrimer Template

Abstract

Superatoms are promising materials for their potential in elemental substitution and as new building blocks. Thus far, various synthesis methods of thiol-protected Au clusters including an Au25 superatom have been investigated. However, previously reported methods were mainly depending on the thermodynamic stability of the aimed clusters. In this report, a synthesis method for thiol-protected Au clusters using a dendrimers template is proposed. In this method, the number of Au atoms was controlled by the stepwise complexation feature of a phenylazomethine dendrimer. Therefore, synthesis speed was increased compared with the case without the dendrimer template. Hybridization for the Au25 superatoms was also achieved using the complexation control of metals.

Keywords

• superatoms
• dendrimers
• gold clusters