Luminescent Cu(0)@Cu(I)–TGA core–shell nanoclusters via self-assembly

• The clusters are composed of copper core of 5 atoms and large shell of Cu(I)–TGA.
• Photoemission of the clusters at pH 4 is at 490 nm under UV light irradiation.
• Concentration of TGA is related to optical properties of the clusters.
• Higher or lower concentration of TGA can change structure in nanoclusters.
• Optical properties and stability are related to core–shell structure.

Antioxidation has always been a challenge in synthesis and application of high luminescence of copper nanoclusters. In this work, Cu(0)@Cu(I)–mercaptoacetic acid (TGA) core–shell structure is developed by well-defined assemblies in aqueous-based solution, which is formed by multilayer shell Cu(I)–TGA and Cu(0) core of 5 atoms. The core–shell structure shows intrinsic green photoluminescence with stability of over two months. The developed structure has been systematically characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide