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(CO)(μ-CO)] clusters through coordination and formed a sandwich-like structure of [Pt(CO)(μ-CO)]Ag[Pt(CO)(μ-CO)]. As a result, multiple sandwich-like structures of [Pt(CO)(μ-CO)]Ag[Pt(CO)(μ-CO)] were established by Ag to form Pt nanowire superstructures {[Pt(CO)]Ag[Pt(CO)]Ag[Pt(CO)] (abbreviated as Ag-Pt NWS). Our results demonstrate that the Pt nanowire superstructures showed promising cocatalytic performance for photocatalytic H production with the involvement of Ag, which promises a desirable way to develop advanced functional nanomaterials.