Photophysical Properties of Silver Clusters in Faujasite Zeolites: Does the Crystal Size Matter?

Electrostatic interactions between the zeolite cavityand confinednoble-metal nanoparticles govern the photophysical properties of thesematerials. A better understanding of these interactions can affordnew perspectives in optoelectronics applications. We investigatedthis interplay by revealing the peculiar photophysical propertiesof Ag clusters embedded in nanosized faujasite zeolite structures.Crystal size and steady state optical properties were characterizedvia integrated light and electron microscopy (ILEM) and steady statespectroscopy. Extensive time-resolved spectroscopy experiments performedon femtosecond to millisecond time scales revealed excited state dynamicsthat are intriguingly different from those observed for their micrometersized counterpart. Multiscale modeling investigations were performedto rationalize the effect of the crystal size on the photophysicalproperties. Our results indicate that for the nanosized crystals,the emissive properties as well as the radiative and nonradiativeprocesses involving the Ag clusters are dramatically dependent onthe surface charge density and surface charge balance.

Automated summary

By investigating the peculiar photophysical properties of silver clusters embedded in nanosized faujasite zeolite structures, we revealed the interplay between the confined noble-metal nanoparticles and the surface charge density and surface charge balance. This study is of great significance for a better understanding of optoelectronics applications.