Structural studies of nanocluster materials recently carried out in INEOS, are reviewed. Metal nanoclusters in polymer matrices (Co, Pt, Pt/Pd, etc.), as well as Pd blacks formed by oxidative aggregation of stoichiometric Pd clusters in organic media and binary nanoparticles (MoS₂ composites obtained via monolayer dispersions, coated nanocrystallites of TiO₂ anatase) were characterized. Laboratory and synchrotron X-ray diffraction data, together with local structural parameters taken from XAFS spectroscopy and the results of XRD simulation using model atomic arrangements, revealed type and distortions of atomic packing. Published single crystal X-ray structural data for big stoichiometric clusters extracted from Cambridge Structure Database (CSD) were represented as new 2D polar histograms and used as references.
Finite size, ligand shell, and electronic effects can modify geometric and electronic structure of nanometric atomic aggregates. Structural monitoring of chemical transformations discussed in the talk include distortion of MoS₂^x- hexagonal layers in intercalated nanoparticles due to partial retention of a negative charge, as well as air oxidation of small stoichiometric palladium clusters in toluene and large mixed-metal stoichiometric cluster [Ni₃₂Au₆(CO)₄₄]^6- in acetonitrile. Larger (ca. 13 nm), and chemically stable TiO₂ nanocrystallites show local distortions of Ti coordination due to coating by photosensibilizing agents, which may facilitate electron transfer in solar cell prototypes. Structural transformations in chemical processed that produce nanoparticles open a way to nanocluster materials with designed bulk properties.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/700 must be provided.