Silver Nanoclusters: Single-Stage Scaleable Synthesis of Monodisperse Species and Their Chirooptical Properties

Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) with well-resolved electronic transitions in UV-vis spectra and chirooptical signatures have been synthesized via a versatile single-stage preparation utilizing stabilization with chiral thiols in aqueous solution. The most successful strategy proved to be the use of a combination of chiral ligands. No purification or size separation of synthesized AgNCs was required. AgNCs have been confirmed to be a single species and displayed significant stability in ambient conditions. Further improvement in AgNC stability has been achieved through their encapsulation in polymer films. Chemical properties of the prepared AgNCs were explored. Chirooptical properties of AgNCs have been studied in detail by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, including nanocluster systems synthesized using different combinations of chiral ligands, where the tunability of chirality is demonstrated. Improved stability of AgNCs offers a good potential for future applications, for example, in optical sensors.