Precise Synthesis and Optoelectronic Applications of Single-Cluster Devices

Shurui Ji, Qianru Li, Moshuqi Zhu, Qiaofeng Yao, Wenping Hu

Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3) : 369-383.

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Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3) : 369-383. DOI: 10.7536/PC20250807
Review

Precise Synthesis and Optoelectronic Applications of Single-Cluster Devices

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Abstract

Metal nanoclusters， with their atomically precise structures， unique quantum effects， and tunable optoelectronic properties， have emerged as a crucial bridge connecting discrete metal atoms and bulk metals. As a pivotal material for next-generation high-performance optoelectronic devices， in-depth understanding of their structure-property relationship is necessary for the on-demand design of functional devices. However， conventional characterization techniques predominantly focus on the macroscopic effects induced by collective behaviors of cluster ensembles， making it difficult to precisely resolve the structure-performance relationship of metal nanoclusters at the atomic level， significantly hindering the advancement of metal nanoclusters in atomically precise fabrication and functional integration. With continuous progress of single-molecule electronics， single-cluster devices have emerged as an effective platform for directly revealing the intrinsic electronic structure and quantum transport behavior of metal nanomaterials at the single-cluster scale， largely bypassing the ambiguity in structure-performance relationship caused by averaging effects and structure heterogeneity of cluster ensembles. This review focuses on the single-cluster devices research， systematically summarizing recent progress in precise synthesis of functionalized clusters， fabrication of single-cluster devices， electrical transport behavior of single-cluster devices， and their potential applications in diverse fields. We then conclude our discussion with key challenges and perspectives for the future development of single-cluster devices， aiming at offering an useful reference for design and fabrication of nanodevices at the atomic level.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Precise synthesis of functionalized metal nanoclusters

2.1 Metal core doping

2.2 Ligand engineering

3 Fabrication of single cluster devices

3.1 Static single-cluster devices-electromigration technique

3.2 Dynamic single-cluster devices

4 Electrical transport properties of single-cluster devices

4.1 Regulation of electrical transport properties of single-cluster junctions at the cluster-electrode interface

4.2 Regulation of electrical transport properties of single-cluster junctions by the intrinsic structure of clusters

5 Applications of single-cluster devices

5.1 Single-cluster switch devices

5.2 Single-cluster transistor devices

5.3 Catalytic characterization platform based on single cluster devices

5.4 Single-cluster light-emitting diode devices

6 Conclusion and outlook

Key words

metal nanoclusters / single-cluster devices / optoelectronic applications

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Shurui Ji , Qianru Li , Moshuqi Zhu , et al . Precise Synthesis and Optoelectronic Applications of Single-Cluster Devices[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2026, 38(3): 369-383 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC20250807

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(22371204)
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Emerging Frontiers Cultivation Program of Tianjin University Interdisciplinary Center
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