“Contact Voltage” in Nanoparticle/Molecule Connections

This work presents conclusive evidence that connecting Pt and Co nanoparticles stabilized by an aluminum-organic shell with molecular spacers interacting with this shell can induce notable changes in the electronic structure of the metal. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements at the Al K-, the Pt L(III)-, and the Co K-edge provide consistent evidence for this effect. The changes induced by cross-linking with an acidic spacer are discussed in detail as an example to elucidate the mechanism of this effect. It turns out that a reconfiguration of the protection shell that occurs upon networking is responsible for the observed changes.