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Removing or adding kernel atoms of metal nanoclusters (NCs) without leaving a trace is a substantial challenge because the kernel atoms are inside and covered by the outer staples. However, such kernel tuning is very important for improving the properties and acquiring an in‐depth understanding of the kernel‐property correlation. Photoluminescence (PL) is one of the most intriguing characteristics of metal NCs but has not been well understood until now. Inspired by these challenges/questions, we conducted this study and, for the first time, achieved the traceless removal of two kernel atoms in a gold nanocluster by applying a simple thermal treatment and revealed its impact on PL. Further, we demonstrated that the kernel Au‐Au bond length can be an indicator for a comparison of the PL or kernel charge state between nanoclusters with similar kernel structures and sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nanoclusters have recently attracted considerable attention, not only because of their special size range but also because of their well‐defined compositions and structures. However, subtly tailoring the compositions and structures of metal nanoclusters for potential applications remains challenging. Now, a two‐phase anti‐galvanic reduction (AGR) method is presented for precisely tailoring Au44(TBBT)28 to produce Au47Cd2(TBBT)31 nanoclusters with a hard‐sphere random close‐packed structure, exhibiting Faradaic efficiencies of up to 96 % at −0.57 V for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Au46(m-MBT)26, Au48(m-MBT)26, gold nanoclusters, photoluminescence, traceless removal Keywords: Au46(m-MBT)26; Au48(m-MBT)26; gold nanoclusters; photoluminescence; traceless removal EN Au46(m-MBT)26 Au48(m-MBT)26 gold nanoclusters photoluminescence traceless removal 1 1 1 04/03/21 20210412 NES 210412 B Nanoclusters b The synthesis and characterization of two novel gold nanoclusters is reported by Nan Xia, Zhikun Wu et al. in their Communication on page 8668. [Extracted from the article]