Electrocatalysis by Atomically Precise Metal Nanoparticles

Metal nanoclusters containing a few to a few hundreds of metal atoms have been the focus of recent investigations because of their novel electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. They appear to represent the bulk-to-molecule transition region where electronic band energetics yield to quantum confinement effects and discrete electronic states emerge. This presentation will highlight work from my group that reports the progress of the fundamental science and technological applications of these metal nanoclusters. Voltammetry of the metal nanoclusters displays unique redox peaks and size-dependent electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gaps that can be related with optical and calculated energy gaps. These nanoclusters also show excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of biologically relevant analytes such as dopamine and glucose, which has practical implications in amperometric sensing. In addition, doped metal nanoclusters opened an avenue to tune their electronic properties and redox potentials for the development of tailored electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and CO2 reduction reactions.