DATE2025.07.30 #Press Releases
Precision Assembly and Imaging of Metal Nanoclusters Achieved
— A New Step Toward Tailored Hierarchical Nanomaterials —
Summary
A research team led by Professor Tatsuya Tsukuda of the School of Science at The University of Tokyo and Principal Researcher Koji Harano of the National Institute for Materials Science has successfully achieved the precise assembly of metal nanoclusters and visualized their structures at high resolution for the first time.
In this study, the team designed and synthesized various assemblies of IrAu₁₂ nanoclusters—dimers, linear trimers and oligomers, and triangular trimers—by reacting pre-programmed Ir–Au nanoclusters with multidentate bridging ligands. A novel method was developed to disperse these assemblies, synthesized in solution, onto carbon thin films while preserving their structures. This enabled direct visualization using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM).
Furthermore, upon photoexcitation, electron transfer between nanoclusters within the assemblies was observed, indicating potential as nanoscale architectures with electronic functionalities.
These findings represent a significant advance in the controlled construction of hierarchical nanostructures and lay the groundwork for developing next-generation materials with tailored optical and electronic properties.
Figure: Electron microscopy images of metal nanocluster dimers, linear trimers, and triangular trimers.
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Journals
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Journal name Nano LettersTitle of paper