Cluster Complex Chemistry and Luminescent Materials
Summary
Cluster complex chemistry explores assemblies of a small number of metal atoms bridged by direct metal–metal bonds and coordinated ligands, often adopting polyhedral geometries such as octahedra. Fine tuning of ligand identity, oxidation state and counter‐ion environment can modulate electronic structure, yielding discrete units with highly efficient light emission. These luminescent materials display photophysical properties including narrow emission bands, long lifetimes and high quantum yields, making them attractive for applications in sensing, imaging, lighting and energy conversion. Advances in synthetic design have enabled heteroleptic clusters bearing mixed organic and inorganic ligands, coordination polymers incorporating cluster nodes and polymeric matrices stabilising clusters in aqueous media. Coupled with improvements in film processability and hybridisation with carbon‐based supports, these developments have broadened the scope of cluster complexes in optoelectronics, environmental sensing and biomedicine. Current research emphasises global significance by targeting rare‐earth‐free phosphors, multifunctional sensors with orthogonal readouts and bioactive platforms for photodynamic therapy, demonstrating that cluster complexes are versatile building blocks at the interface of inorganic chemistry and materials science.
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Cluster Complex Chemistry and Luminescent Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cluster complex chemistry and luminescent materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
cluster complex: A discrete entity comprised of a small number of metal atoms bonded to each other and to ligands, often forming well‐defined polyhedral structures.
photoluminescence: Emission of light by a material following absorption of photons, characterised by its spectrum, quantum yield and decay lifetime.
heteroleptic complex: A coordination compound in which a central metal atom or cluster is bound to more than one type of ligand.
counter‐cation: A positively charged ion that balances the negative charge of a cluster anion within a crystalline or solution phase.
ionic–electronic conduction: Concurrent transport of ions and electrons within a material, enabling coupled electrical and ionic responses to external stimuli.
References
- Multifunctional Oxidized Dextran as a Matrix for Stabilization of Octahedral Molybdenum and Tungsten Iodide Clusters in Aqueous Media. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Octahedral Molybdenum Iodide Clusters Supported on Graphene for Resistive and Optical Gas Sensing. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2022).
- Light-dependent ionic-electronic conduction in an amorphous octahedral molybdenum cluster thin film. NPG Asia Materials (2022).
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