物理化学学报 >> 2010, Vol. 26 >> Issue (04): 999-1016.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB20100414

量子化学及计算化学 上一篇    下一篇

用第一原理理解与预测巯基金纳米簇

江德恩   

  1. Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
  • 收稿日期:2009-12-10 修回日期:2010-01-06 发布日期:2010-04-02
  • 通讯作者: 江德恩 E-mail:jiangd@ornl.gov

Understanding and Predicting Thiolated Gold Nanoclusters from First Principles

JIANG De-En   

  1. Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
  • Received:2009-12-10 Revised:2010-01-06 Published:2010-04-02
  • Contact: JIANG De-En E-mail:jiangd@ornl.gov

摘要:

This is an exciting time for studying thiolated gold nanoclusters. Single crystal structures of Au102(SR)44 and Au25(SR)18- (—SR being an organothiolate group) bring both surprises and excitement in this field. First principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations turn out to be an important tool to understand and predict thiolated gold nanoclusters. In this review, I summarize the progresses made by us and others in applying first principles DFT to thiolated gold nanoclusters, as inspired by the recent experiments. First, I will give some experimental background on synthesis of thiolated gold nanoclusters, followed by a description of the recent experimental breakthroughs. Then I will introduce the superatom complex concept as a way to understand the electronic structure of thiolated gold nanoclusters or smaller nanoparticles. Next, I will describe in detail how first principles DFT is used to understand the Au-thiolate interface, predict structures for Au38(SR)24, screen good dopants for the Au25(SR)18- cluster, design the smallest magic thiolated gold cluster, and demonstrate the need for the trimer protecting motif. I will conclude with a grand challenge: the real time monitoring of nucleation of thiolated gold nanoclusters.

关键词: Thiolate, Gold, Nanoclusters, Density functional calculation, Electronic structure, Superatom complex

Abstract:

This is an exciting time for studying thiolated gold nanoclusters. Single crystal structures of Au102(SR)44 and Au25(SR)18- (—SR being an organothiolate group) bring both surprises and excitement in this field. First principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations turn out to be an important tool to understand and predict thiolated gold nanoclusters. In this review, I summarize the progresses made by us and others in applying first principles DFT to thiolated gold nanoclusters, as inspired by the recent experiments. First, I will give some experimental background on synthesis of thiolated gold nanoclusters, followed by a description of the recent experimental breakthroughs. Then I will introduce the superatom complex concept as a way to understand the electronic structure of thiolated gold nanoclusters or smaller nanoparticles. Next, I will describe in detail how first principles DFT is used to understand the Au-thiolate interface, predict structures for Au38(SR)24, screen good dopants for the Au25(SR)18- cluster, design the smallest magic thiolated gold cluster, and demonstrate the need for the trimer protecting motif. I will conclude with a grand challenge: the real time monitoring of nucleation of thiolated gold nanoclusters.

Key words: Thiolate, Gold, Nanoclusters, Density functional calculation, Electronic structure, Superatom complex