Tokyo Institute of Technology · Materials Science
Professor Takane Imaoka's research lab specializes in the atomic-level design and synthesis of subnanometer noble metal clusters, focusing on their unique electronic and geometric structures that govern exceptional catalytic properties. The lab develops precision synthesis methods—particularly using dendrimer templates and molecular templates—to achieve atomically precise clusters with tailored activity, especially for energy-relevant reactions like the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Their work bridges molecular chemistry and nanomaterials science, emphasizing structure-activity relationships in ultra-small clusters and enabling scalable, high-precision catalyst development for sustainable energy applications.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
A relationship between the size of metal particles and their catalytic activity has been established over a nanometer scale (2-10 nm). However, application on a subnanometer scale (0.5-2 nm) is difficult, a possible reason being that the activity no longer relies on the size but rather the geometric structure as a cluster (or superatomic) compound. We now report that the catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) significantly increased when only one atom was removed from a magic
Subnanometer noble metal clusters have enormous potential, mainly for catalytic applications. Because a difference of only one atom may cause significant changes in their reactivity, a preparation method with atomic-level precision is essential. Although such a precision with enough scalability has been achieved by gas-phase synthesis, large-scale preparation is still at the frontier, hampering practical applications. We now show the atom-precise and fully scalable synthesis of platinum clusters
On a subnanometer scale, an only one-atom difference in a metal cluster may cause significant transitions in the catalytic activity due to the electronic and geometric configurations. We now report the atomicity-specific catalytic activity of platinum clusters with significantly small atomicity, especially below 20. The atomic coordination structure is completely different from that of the larger face-centered cubic (fcc) nanocrystals. Here, an electrochemical study on such small clusters, in wh
A series of phenylazozmethine (DPA) dendrimers with a porphyrin core (PnH2) were synthesized by dehydration using TiCl4 from meso-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin and the DPA dendrons. The addition of SnCl2 to a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solution of dendritic cobalt porphyrin resulted in a stepwise spectral change. By using UV-vis spectroscopy to monitor the complexation of the P4CoIIICl until an equimolar amount of SnCl2 has been added, four changes in the position of the isosbestic point we
A series of dendritic phenylazomethines (DPA), which have a meso-substituted zinc porphyrin core (DPAGX-ZnP, X = 1−4), were synthesized. Structural studies of these dendrimers were carried out using Tri-SEC (triple detection after size exclusion chromatography), intrinsic viscosity analysis, TEM (tunneling electron microscopy), and molecular modeling calculations by AM1. As a result, a sphere-like structure within a single-nanometer scale (Rh = 22 Å for DPAG4-ZnP) was observed. In addition, enca
Abstract Metal clusters composed of several to several tens of atoms, in general, can be regarded as molecules rather than small nanoparticles. That is, a cluster bearing a different number of atoms is a “different molecule” showing different properties. Therefore, at least ultraprecision control of the size at the one-atom level is a requirement to study and fully utilize clusters. Although these substances sometimes exhibit exceptionally high catalytic activity relative to nanoparticles, highl
We now report the first direct observation of the fluxional nature in which the four-atomic platinum cluster (Pt4) randomly walks through several isomers. Time-lapse analysis by a Cs-corrected transmission electron microscope allowed us to acquire the atomic coordinates at a sub-angstrom space resolution and 0.2 s time resolution for each cluster isomer. The analysis revealed that the isomerization follows a simple first-order kinetic model.
There has been controversy surrounding the roles of the metal core (metal-metal interaction) and the shell (metal-ligand interaction) in photoluminescence of ligand-protected metal nanoclusters. We have discovered aggregation-induced room-temperature phosphorescence of a platinum-thiolate complex and its silver ion inclusion complex (a silver-doped platinum sub-nanocluster). The inclusion of silver ion boosted the photoluminescent quantum yield by 18 times. Photophysical measurements indicate th
A series of novel dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPA) with asymmetric morphologies was synthesized. Their physical properties, such as encapsulating effect, molecular dynamics, and metal assembly, are strongly dependent on the entire conformation of the molecules. The most important property is layer-by-layer metal assembly in the dendrimer structure from the core to the outside. Bis- and tris-substituted DPAs of the fourth generation also act as frameworks for stepwise assembly of a metal com
Abstract On a subnanometer scale, an only one‐atom difference in a metal cluster may cause significant transitions in the catalytic activity due to the electronic and geometric configurations. We now report the atomicity‐specific catalytic activity of platinum clusters with significantly small atomicity, especially below 20. The atomic coordination structure is completely different from that of the larger face‐centered cubic ( fcc ) nanocrystals. Here, an electrochemical study on such small clus
Bonding dissimilar elements to provide synergistic effects is an effective way to improve the performance of metal catalysts. However, as the properties become more dissimilar, achieving synergistic effects effectively becomes more difficult due to phase separation. Here we describe a comprehensive study on how subnanoscale alloying is always effective for inter-elemental synergy. Thirty-six combinations of both bimetallic subnanoparticles (SNPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) were studied systematical
Microscopic observation of single molecules is a rapidly expanding field in chemistry and differs from conventional characterization techniques that require a large number of molecules. One of such form of single-molecule microscopy is high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), which is especially suitable for coordination compounds because of its atomic number-dependent contrast. However, to date, single-molecule observations using HAADF-STEM has limit
Abstract Phenylazomethine dendrimers bearing a cobalt porphyrin core act as catalysts for CO 2 reduction in the presence of a strong Lewis acid such as lanthanide trifluoromethanesulfonate (Ln(OTf) 3 ). We investigated the catalytic activity using electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry) on a glassy carbon electrode in a DMF solution. Dissolving CO 2 gas into the solution, the cyclic voltammograms displayed an irreversible increase of the cathodic current. This result suggests the catal
Miniaturizing metallic materials from the nanoscale to the atomic scale transforms the structures and physical properties. Among these sub-nanoscale materials, some catalysts exhibit activity superior to conventional nanoparticle catalysts. Furthermore, some subnanoparticles become superatoms that exhibit unusual physical properties that deviate from the properties of the original elements. However, conventional metallurgy and chemistry often do not apply to synthetic strategies, structural anal
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