Metal Nanocluster Electrocatalysis

Compared to metal complexes or the other single metal atom catalysts, metal nanoclusters bear a polynuclear kernel. The abundant free electrons in the metal kernel enable convenient electron transfer between of metal nanoclusters and the substrates, thus endows metal nanoclusters with good electrocatalytic property. This chapter introduces the metal nanocluster electrocatalysis from three aspects. (i) Metal nanocluster electrochemical property, in which section we present their oxidation potential, reduction potential, and redox capacity mainly by DPV and SWV spectra. Size-dependent electrochemical property and metal doping/ligand modification-regulated redox ability of metal nanoclusters will be introduced in three parts. (ii) Metal nanocluster electrodes, which are generally prepared by loading metal nanoclusters on conductive supports. (iii) Metal nanocluster electrocatalysts, which are generally dispersed in the electrolyte and catalyze the electrochemical transformations. Several typical examples concerning the metal nanocluster electrode and the metal nanocluster electrocatalyst are shown in the two sections.