Photoluminescence of the Au38(SR)26 nanocluster comprises three radiative processes

Abstract

Atomically precise gold nanoclusters display useful photoluminescence properties, but limitations in synthetic methods and characterization techniques have hindered their detailed exploration. Here, a Au38(PET)26 nanocluster is found to exhibit fluorescence, phosphorescence, and thermally activated delayed fluorescence emissions, with a significant enhancement in photoluminescence intensity at cryogenic temperatures owing to the suppression of nonradiative pathways.