Effect of ligand structure on the size control of mono- and bi-thiolate-protected silver nanoclusters.

Ligand structure could control the size and structure of thiolate-protected silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) in water. Small alkane-thiols, medium-sized aromatic-thiols, and bulky thiol-containing tri-peptides direct the formation of Ag25(SR)18, Ag44(SR)30, and Ag9-15(SR)5-10, respectively. In addition, small alkane-thiol collocates well with other types of thiolate ligand to generate bi-thiolate-protected Ag25 NCs with controlled ligand landscapes on their surfaces.