Structure and Properties of Atomically Precise Metal Clusters
A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 24
Special Issue Editors
Interests: gold clusters; heterometallic clusters; cluster-based catalysts; photoluminescence
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Atomically precise metal clusters have emerged as an active frontier in inorganic and materials chemistry due to their well-defined compositions, discrete electronic structures and molecular-like behavior. Positioned at the interface between coordination complexes and nanoscale materials, these metal clusters provide a unique platform for understanding how atomic-level structural features dictate optical, electronic, chiroptical properties as well as chemical and catalytic reactivity. Recent advances in synthetic methodologies, ligand engineering, stimuli-induced structural transformations and heterometal alloying has dramatically expanded the accessible structural space of metal clusters, enabling precise control over nuclearity, composition, symmetry, excited-state dynamics and catalytic performance. Such progress has opened new opportunities in catalysis, luminescence, sensing, quantum materials and the development of advanced functional materials. We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue.
This Special Issue aims to highlight recent developments in the structures and physicochemical properties and functional behaviors of atomically precise metal clusters, covering the synthesis, characterization and theoretical investigation of atomically precise metal clusters. We welcome studies that advance the fundamental understanding of structure–property relationships in metal clusters and elucidate their emerging functional roles. The overarching goal is to assemble a collection of contributions that captures the current landscape and outlines future directions in atomically precise metal cluster science.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Synthesis and design of atomically precise metal clusters
- Ligand-protected metal clusters
- Heterometallic clusters and alloyed nanoclusters
- Superatoms and magic-sized nanostructures
- Stimuli-induced structural transformations
- Chiral clusters, structural asymmetry and chiroptical properties
- Luminescent metal clusters and their photophysical behaviors
- Excited-state dynamics and ultrafast processes in metal clusters
- Metal cluster-based catalysis
- Structure–property relationships and theoretical studies
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Xiaoli Pei
Dr. Pei Zhao
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Inorganics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
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Keywords
- atomically precise metal clusters
- ligand-protected metal clusters
- heterometallic clusters and alloy nanoclusters
- superatoms and magic-sized nanostructures
- stimuli-induced structural transformations
- chiral clusters and chiroptical properties
- luminescent clusters
- excited-state dynamics
- metal cluster-based catalysis
- cluster-based functional materials
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