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The recent thrust in utilizing atomically precise organic ligands protected gold clusters (Au clusters) as photosensitizer coupled with semiconductors for nano-catalysts has led to the claims of improved efficiency in photocatalysis. Nonetheless, the influence of photo-stability of organic ligands protected-Au clusters at the Au/semiconductor interface on the photocatalytic properties remains rather elusive. Taking Au clusters-TiO2 composites as a prototype, we for the first time demonstrate the photo-induced transformation of small molecular-like Au clusters to larger metallic Au nanoparticles under different illumination conditions, which leads to the diverse photocatalytic reaction mechanism. This transformation process undergoes a diffusion/aggregation mechanism accompanied with the onslaught of Au clusters by active oxygen species and holes resulting from photo-excited TiO2 and Au clusters. However, such Au clusters aggregation can be efficiently inhibited by tuning reaction conditions. This work would trigger rational structural design and fine condition control of organic ligands protected-metal clusters-semiconductor composites for diverse photocatalytic applications with long-term photo-stability.
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SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
ISSN: 2045-2322
Year: 2016
Volume: 6
4 . 2 5 9
JCR@2016
3 . 8 0 0
JCR@2023
ESI Discipline: MULTIDISCIPLINARY;
ESI HC Threshold:318
JCR Journal Grade:1
CAS Journal Grade:3
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SCOPUS Cited Count:
ESI Highly Cited Papers on the List: 0 Unfold All
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Chinese Cited Count:
30 Days PV: 1
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