AIE-type metal nanoclusters: Synthesis, luminescence, fundamentals and applications

Abstract

Ultra-small metal nanoclusters (NCs) have unique electronic, optical, and chemical properties which make them attractive for many practical applications. A significant amount research has focused on luminescent metal NCs, especially on the design, fabrication, and mechanistic understanding of their luminescence properties. In this chapter, we first briefly discuss the luminescence fundamentals of well-defined metal NCs, particularly how the metallic core, ligand shell, and the redox state of the metal atoms at the core/shell influence their luminescence. Following that, we describe the impact of recently discovered aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomenon on the design of highly luminescent metal NCs. Examples of a series of recently reported AIE-type metal NCs along with some particular application of interest have been summarized. The findings discussed in this chapter may form a basis for further understanding, engineering, and controlling the luminescence mechanism of these novel AIE-type metal NCs.