Electrochemical behavior of organosoluble gold nanoclusters and its application

This contribution described the electrochemical study of organosoluble gold nanoclusters (AuNCs).The AuNCs were characterized with UV-vis absorption spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy as well as differential pulse voltammogram. Factors influencing the specific voltammogram of AuNCs including the electrodes, pulse parameters, and concentration of supporting electrolyte as well as the amount of nanoclusters are investigated, respectively. The electrochemical fingerprints of AuNCs are presented and the molecular formula, calculated by energy gap obtained from electrochemical fingerprints, was Au128(SR)54, where SR is phenylethyl thiolate. Based on the variation of the electrochemical fingerprints, the electrochemical in situ monitoring of the ligand exchange of AuNCs is initially performed.