Ag + -Induced Assembly of Pt Clusters for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

Cluster-assembled nanowires provide a unique strategy for the preparation of high-performance nanostructures. However, existing preparations are limited by complex processes and harsh reaction conditions. Here, Ag + ions were utilized as a novel structure-directing agent to generate the self-assembly of Pt clusters to form ultrafine nanowires with a diameter of less than 5 nm. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) characterizations demonstrated that every Ag + bridged two [Pt 3 (CO) 3 (μ 2 -CO) 3 ] n 2- clusters through coordination and formed a sandwich-like structure of [Pt 3 (CO) 3 (μ 2 -CO) 3 ] n Ag[Pt 3 (CO) 3 (μ 2 -CO) 3 ] m 3- . As a result, multiple sandwich-like structures of [Pt 3 (CO) 3 (μ 2 -CO) 3 ] n Ag[Pt 3 (CO) 3 (μ 2 -CO) 3 ] m 3- were established by Ag + to form Pt nanowire superstructures {[Pt 3 (CO) 6 ] n Ag[Pt 3 (CO) 6 ] m Ag[Pt 3 (CO) 6 ] x }∞ (abbreviated as Ag-Pt NWS). Our results demonstrate that the Pt nanowire superstructures showed promising cocatalytic performance for photocatalytic H 2 production with the involvement of Ag + , which promises a desirable way to develop advanced functional nanomaterials.