Polymorphism in magic-sized Au144(SR)60 clusters

Kirsten M.Ø. Jensen, Pavol Juhas, Marcus A. Tofanelli, Christine L. Heinecke, Gavin Vaughan, Christopher J. Ackerson () and Simon J. L. Billinge ()
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Kirsten M.Ø. Jensen: Columbia University
Pavol Juhas: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Marcus A. Tofanelli: Colorado State University
Christine L. Heinecke: Colorado State University
Gavin Vaughan: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Christopher J. Ackerson: Colorado State University
Simon J. L. Billinge: Columbia University

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Ultra-small, magic-sized metal nanoclusters represent an important new class of materials with properties between molecules and particles. However, their small size challenges the conventional methods for structure characterization. Here we present the structure of ultra-stable Au144(SR)60 magic-sized nanoclusters obtained from atomic pair distribution function analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data. The study reveals structural polymorphism in these archetypal nanoclusters. In addition to confirming the theoretically predicted icosahedral-cored cluster, we also find samples with a truncated decahedral core structure, with some samples exhibiting a coexistence of both cluster structures. Although the clusters are monodisperse in size, structural diversity is apparent. The discovery of polymorphism may open up a new dimension in nanoscale engineering.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11859

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