Stabilization of 2D Raft Structures of Au Nanoclusters with up to 60 Atoms by a Carbon Support

Gold Nanoclusters Free clusters of gold atoms in the gas phase switch from 2D planar architectures to 3D morphologies at sizes >11 atoms. In article number 2400093, Richard E. Palmer and co-workers show the effect of a (carbon) support surface: calculations indicate the transition size is increased to 19 atoms, while aberration-corrected electron microscope images (illustrated here) reveal 2D monolayer raft structures up to 60 atoms or more, alongside 3D clusters. They should show quite different properties e.g. catalytic behavior.