Dual emitting Ag₃₅ nanocluster protected by 2-pyrene imine thiol

Abstract

In this communication, we present the synthesis of 2-pyrene imine thiol (2-PIT)-protected Ag₃₅ nanoclusters using a ligand exchange-induced structural transformation reaction. The formation of the nanocluster and its composition were confirmed through several spectroscopic and electron microscopic studies. The UV-vis absorption spectrum showed a set of characteristic features of the nanocluster. This nanocluster showed blue emission under UV light due to pyrene to metal core charge-transfer, and NIR emission due to charge-transfer within the metal core. This is the first report on dual emitting pyrene protected atomically precise silver nanoclusters.