Gold and silver quantum clusters in molecular containers and methods for their preparation and use
A composition includes a quantum cluster of Ag m or Au n , one or more protector molecules; and a molecular cavity partially or wholly surrounding the quantum cluster. A method for preparing the quantum clusters includes adding a first amount of glutathione to a gold salt, a silver salt, or a mixture thereof to form a mixture; adding a reducing agent to the mixture to form a precipitate; and mixing the precipitate with a second amount of glutathione and a cyclodextrin to form a composition. Devices are prepared from the quantum clusters, and the devices may be used in methods of authentication of articles.
1. A quantum cluster comprising:
Ag m , Au n , or Ag m Au n , wherein m and n are independently from 2 to 100;
one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Ag m , Au n , or Ag m Au n ; and
a cyclodextrin, calixarene, or crown ether partially or wholly surrounding the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Ag m , Au n , or Ag m Au n ;
wherein the cyclodextrin is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted α-cyclodextrin, unsubstituted β-cyclodextrin, and unsubstituted γ-cyclodextrin.
2. The quantum cluster of claim 1 comprising the cyclodextrin partially or wholly surrounding the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Ag m , Au n , or Ag m Au n .
3. The quantum cluster of claim 2 , wherein at least two cyclodextrins each partially surround the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Ag m , Au n , or Ag m Au n .
4. The quantum cluster of claim 1 further comprising an alcohol, water, acetonitrile, acetone, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, toluene, hexane, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
5. The quantum cluster of claim 1 further comprising water.
6. A quantum cluster comprising:
Au n , wherein n is independently from 2, 3, 5, 10, or 15;
one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n ; and
a cyclodextrin, calixarene, or crown ether partially or wholly surrounding the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n ;
wherein the cyclodextrin is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted α-cyclodextrin, unsubstituted β-cyclodextrin, and unsubstituted γ-cyclodextrin.
7. The quantum cluster of claim 6 comprising the cyclodextrin partially or wholly surrounding the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n .
8. The quantum cluster of claim 7 , wherein two cyclodextrins each partially surround the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n .
9. The quantum cluster of claim 6 further comprising an alcohol, water, acetonitrile, acetone, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, toluene, hexane, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
10. The quantum cluster of claim 6 further comprising water.
11. A quantum cluster comprising:
Au n , wherein n is 15;
one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n ; and
a cyclodextrin partially or wholly surrounding the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n ;
wherein the cyclodextrin is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted α-cyclodextrin, unsubstituted β-cyclodextrin, and unsubstituted γ-cyclodextrin.
12. The quantum cluster of claim 11 , wherein two cyclodextrins each partially surround the one or more glutathione molecules bound to the Au n .
13. The quantum cluster of claim 11 further comprising an alcohol, water, acetonitrile, acetone, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, toluene, hexane, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
14. The quantum cluster of claim 11 further comprising water.
15. A device comprising:
a plurality of the quantum clusters of claim 1 deposited on a substrate comprising SiO 2 , glass, conducting glass, quartz, silicon, a functionalized polymer, chitosan, a carbon nanotube, activated carbon, or alumina.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of quantum clusters are uniformly coated on the substrate.
17. A device comprising:
a plurality of the quantum clusters of claim 6 deposited on a substrate comprising SiO 2 , glass, conducting glass, quartz, silicon, a functionalized polymer, chitosan, a carbon nanotube, activated carbon, or alumina.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of quantum clusters are uniformly coated on the substrate.
19. A device comprising:
a plurality of the quantum clusters of claim 11 deposited on a substrate comprising SiO 2 , glass, conducting glass, quartz, silicon, a functionalized polymer, chitosan, a carbon nanotube, activated carbon, or alumina.
20. The device of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of quantum clusters are uniformly coated on the substrate.