Synthesis and functionalities of FeSn12 superatom prepared by single atom introduction with a dendrimer template

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 30; no. 20; pp. e202400060 - n/a
• Main Authors: Muramatsu, Hisanori, Kambe, Tetsuya, Tsukamoto, Takamasa, Kuzume, Akiyoshi, Hosono, Reina, Imaoka, Takane, Yamamoto, Kimihisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 05.04.2024
• Subjects: Analytical methods; Cages; cluster; Clusters; dendrimer; Infrared emissions; Magnetic properties; Magnetism; Near infrared radiation; Optical properties; Polyvinylpyrrolidone; stannaspherene; sub-nanoparticle; superatom; Synthesis; Vapor phases
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400060

Superatoms are promising as new building block materials that can be designed by precise controlling of the constituent atoms. Stannaspherene (Sn122−) is a rigid cage‐like cluster with icosahedral symmetry, for which one‐atom encapsulation was theoretically expected and detected in the gas phase. Here, a single‐atom introduction method into stannaspherene using a dendrimer template with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) protection is demonstrated. This advanced solution‐phase synthesis allows not only the selective doping of one atom into the cluster cage, but also enable further detail characterization of optical and magnetic properties that were not possible in the gas‐phase synthesis. In other words, this liquid‐phase synthesis method has enabled the adaptation of detailed analytical methods. In this study, FeSn12 was synthesized and characterized, revealing that a single Fe atom introduction in the Sn122− cage result in the appearance of near‐infrared emission and enhancement in the magnetism. Development of synthesis method for superatoms is significant for the design to mimic an atom. The asymmetric dendrimer “pyTPM G4” introduces one Fe atom, making solution‐phase synthesis of FeSn12. The synthesis and obtained structure were clarified and the electronic state was investigated by theoretical calculations. The prepared superatom showed Near‐IR emission and magnetism enhancement.