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Abstract Photoluminescence of ultrasmall, atomically precise gold nanoclusters constitutes an area of significant interest in recent years for both fundamental research and biological applications. However, the exploration of near-infrared photoluminescence of gold nanoclusters is still in its infancy due to the limitations of synthetic methods and characterization techniques. Herein, the photoluminescence properties of an Au38(PET)26(PET = 2-phenylethanethiolate) nanocluster are investigated in detail. The Au38(PET)26exhibits an emission peak at 865 nm, which is revealed to be a mix of fluorescence, thermally activated delayed fluorescence, and phosphorescence via the combined analyses of time-resolved and temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements. The quantum yield of Au38(PET)26is determined to be 1.8% at room temperature under ambient conditions, which increases to above 90% by suppressing the non-radiative relaxation pathway at a cryogenic temperature (80 K). Overall, the results of this work discover the coexistence of three radiative processes in thiolate-protected Au nanoclusters and will pave the way for understanding the intriguing photoluminescence properties of gold nanoclusters in future studies.
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This content will become publicly available on October 6, 2026
The nature of nanoclusters in aqueous zinc sulfate electrolytes
Transient nanoclusters in aqueous ZnSO4electrolytes are revealed with X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. These nanoclusters exhibit diverse sizes and geometries, influencing ion correlations and transport properties.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2335833
- PAR ID:
- 10651003
- Publisher / Repository:
- RSC
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- EES Batteries
- Volume:
- 1
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 3033-4071
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1158 to 1172
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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