The ability to analyze surface modifications with a high degree of atomic precision is critical to the development of nanomaterials for directed biomedical and engineering applications. To this end, the use of single crystal x-ray diffraction of gold nanoclusters has been a key analytical technique over the last decade for elucidating structural information and developing surface functionalization techniques. Fundamental questions about the potential impact of phenomena such as inter-particle exchanges and polymorphism on the consistency and reproducibility of crystallographic results for nanoclusters have yet to be addressed, however. In this work, we present a novel ligand exchange process together with a series of crystal structures to show the effects of ligand composition, solvation time, and sample variability on the crystallographic conformation and composition of Au<sub>25</sub> nanoclusters. These experimental results present promising new directions for engineering solid state properties of nanoparticles and developing new surface functionalization methodology.

Investigating inter-particle exchanges and crystallographic changes in gold nanoclusters

255th National Meeting (2018)

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