Isolation and Purification of Single Gold Nanoclusters by Alternate Pumping Chromatography

Alternate pumping chromatography is applied to obtain atomically precise glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters in high purity from synthesized mixtures. On the basis of anion exchange chromatography, the feasibility of isolating a single cluster, Au10GSH10, as well as two different clusters simultaneously (Au25GSH(18) and Au(29)GSH(20)) is demonstrated. In addition, Au(18)GSH(14), which is present only in trace amounts, is successfully enriched. A simple design procedure is proposed that allows using columns with different retention behavior. Successful experiments with large injection amounts confirm the potential of the concept for preparative-scale productions of high-quality nanoparticulate products.

Automated summary

Alternate pumping chromatography is used to obtain high purity glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters with atomic precision from synthesized mixtures. Anion exchange chromatography is applied to isolate a single cluster, Au10GSH10, as well as two different clusters simultaneously (Au25GSH(18) and Au(29)GSH(20)). Trace amounts of Au(18)GSH(14) are successfully enriched. A simple design procedure allows for the use of columns with different retention behavior. Successful experiments with large injection amounts confirm the potential of this concept for preparative-scale productions of high-quality nanoparticulate products.