FLUORESCENT COPPER NANOCLUSTERS

Clusters of coinage metals like silver and gold have been studied for their opto-physical properties and interesting applications. These nanoscale materials are usually synthesized from their salts by reduction usually in aqueous solution at ambient conditions. Copper nanoclusters were synthesized from copper (II) salts using sodium borohydride as reducing agent in aqueous solution. The resulting sample was observed to be luminescent with emission bands at 346 and 428 nm. Confocal microscopy images of the sample showed small, seemingly spherical “particles” that were visibly fluorescent and photostable. Mass spectrometry data revealed that the clusters had a molecular mass of m/z = 575.8 and a molecular formula of [Cu7B3O5.H2O]¯. These clusters can be applied in the areas of catalysis, optical electronic devices, chemical and biosensors in in vitro systems.