Physical Origin of Dual-Emission of Au-Ag Bimetallic Nanoclusters

On the origin of photoluminescence of noble metal NCs, there are always hot debates: metal-centered quantum-size confinement effect VS ligand-centered surface state mechanism. Herein, we provided solid evidence that structural water molecules (SWs) confined in the nanocavity formed by surface-protective-ligand packing on the metal NCs are the real luminescent emitters of Au-Ag bimetal NCs. The Ag cation mediated Au-Ag bimetal NCs exhibit the unique pH-dependent dual-emission characteristic with larger Stokes shift up to 200 nm, which could be used as potential ratiometric nanosensors for pH detection. Our results provide a completely new insight on the understanding of the origin of photoluminescence of metal NCs, which elucidates the abnormal PL emission phenomena, including solvent effect, pH-dependent behavior, surface ligand effect, multiple emitter centers, and large-Stoke's shift.

Automated summary

This study reveals that the origin of photoluminescence in noble metal NCs lies in the structurally confined water molecules in nanocavities formed by surface-protective ligand packing. The Ag cation mediated Au-Ag bimetal NCs exhibit a pH-dependent dual-emission characteristic with a large Stokes shift of up to 200 nm, making them potential ratiometric nanosensors for pH detection. These findings provide a new understanding of the abnormal photoluminescence emission phenomena in metal NCs.