Structure–performance relationship of Au nanoclusters in electrocatalysis: Metal core and ligand structure
Bowen Li,
Lianmei Kang,
Yongfeng Lun,
Jinli Yu,
Shuqin Song,
Yi Wang
Affiliations
Bowen Li
The Key Lab of Low‐Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, PCFM Lab, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
Lianmei Kang
The Key Lab of Low‐Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, PCFM Lab, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
Yongfeng Lun
The Key Lab of Low‐Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, PCFM Lab, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
Jinli Yu
Department of Chemistry City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
Shuqin Song
The Key Lab of Low‐Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, PCFM Lab, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
Yi Wang
The Key Lab of Low‐Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, PCFM Lab, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
Abstract Remarkable progress has characterized the field of electrocatalysis in recent decades, driven in part by an enhanced comprehension of catalyst structures and mechanisms at the nanoscale. Atomically precise metal nanoclusters, serving as exemplary models, significantly expand the range of accessible structures through diverse cores and ligands, creating an exceptional platform for the investigation of catalytic reactions. Notably, ligand‐protected Au nanoclusters (NCs) with precisely defined core numbers offer a distinct advantage in elucidating the correlation between their specific structures and the reaction mechanisms in electrocatalysis. The strategic modulation of the fine microstructures of Au NCs presents crucial opportunities for tailoring their electrocatalytic performance across various reactions. This review delves into the profound structural effects of Au NC cores and ligands in electrocatalysis, elucidating their underlying mechanisms. A detailed exploration of the fundamentals of Au NCs, considering core and ligand structures, follows. Subsequently, the interaction between the core and ligand structures of Au NCs and their impact on electrocatalytic performance in diverse reactions are examined. Concluding the discourse, challenges and personal prospects are presented to guide the rational design of efficient electrocatalysts and advance electrocatalytic reactions.
