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Cu Nanoclusters with Aggregation Induced Emission Enhancement
Author(s) -
Jia Xiaofang,
Li Jing,
Wang Erkang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201300896
Subject(s) - nanoclusters , photoluminescence , aggregation induced emission , luminescence , fluorescence , dispersity , aqueous solution , materials science , cluster (spacecraft) , absorption (acoustics) , photochemistry , nanocrystal , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , etching (microfabrication) , adsorption , nanoparticle , chemistry , optoelectronics , polymer chemistry , optics , physics , engineering , layer (electronics) , computer science , composite material , programming language
A facile and versatile method for preparing water‐soluble, stable, luminescent Cu nanoclusters (NCs) via the process of size‐focusing etching from nonluminescent nanocrystals is presented. Using glutathione as a model ligand, the smallest cluster, Cu 2 , is selectively synthesized to form a nearly monodisperse product, eliminating the need for tedious size fractionation. Evolution of photoluminescence and absorption spectra reveal that the formation of stable cluster species occurs through surface etching. Intriguingly, the as‐prepared CuNCs exhibit an aggregation‐induced emission enhancement effect. The CuNCs emit a faint light when dispersed in aqueous solution, but generate a striking fluorescence intensity enhancement upon aggregation. Armed with these attractive properties, the emissive CuNCs are expected to open new opportunities for the construction of light‐emitting diodes, chemosensors, and bioimaging systems.