Thiolate Monolayer-protected Au clusters (MPC) have evinced size-dependent optical and electrochemical properties that encompass the transition between bulk and molecular states. Study of photoinduced electron and energy transfer processes in MPC-based assemblies is important for their applications in catalysis, nanoelectronics and sensors. We synthesized and characterized various sized, monodisperse-, hexanethiolate-, glutathione-, cysteine-, and 6-(ferrocenyl)hexanethiolate-, mercapto coumarin-modified MPC with core diameters of 1-2.5 nm. The MPC were characterized by TEM, UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence, time resolved spectroscopy, electrochemistry and NMR. In the case of coumarin passivated nanoparticles we see a new metal to ligand charge transfer band. They exhibit ultrafast electron transfer and good two photon cross-sections. The influence of the core states vs the semi-ring states give rise to new bands in their absorption profiles. We also report the sensing capability of these MPC towards metal ions and organophosphorus pesticides and their effect on fluorescence and oxidation potentials

Electron transfer dynamics in quantum sized gold clusters

241st National Meeting (2011)

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