The overall structure of Cu53 [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Researchers from the Institute of Crystalline Materials at Shanxi University (SXU) recently published their research on alkynyl-protected Cu₅₃ nanoclusters in the prestigious German chemicals journal Angewandte Chemie, according to SXU officials.

The research article, entitled Observation of Non-FCC Copper in Alkynyl-Protected Cu₅₃ Nanoclusters, showcased the findings of alkynyl-protected Cu₅₃ nanoclusters by a research team led by professors Zhang Xianming and Li Huan, as well as doctor Qu Mei at the institute.

In the structures of Cu₅₃ nanoclusters the team synthetized, an ABABC stacking sequence involving 41 Cu atoms was revealed.

Structural analysis and coordination mode diagram of Cu53 [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

SXU officials said it was also the first time that non-face-centered-cubic (FCC) copper had been observed in a series of alkynyl-protected Cu₅₃ nanoclusters obtained from solution-phase synthesis.

They also said that the series of alkynyl-protected Cu₅₃ nanoclusters, together with Cu₅₃ clusters previously reported by researchers of Xiamen University, have become the existing zero-valent copper nanoclusters with the most atomic nucleuses.

This represents further progress made in the field of currency metal nanoclusters by the Institute of Crystalline Materials following the paper on all-alkynyl-protected Ag₇₄ nanoclusters published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in 2017.