[Press Release] Extra Silver Atom Sparks Breakthrough in Photoluminescence of Silver Nanoclusters

Release Summary

A team of researchers from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science, and the Institute for Molecular Science have uncovered how the precise addition of a single silver (Ag) atom can dramatically transform the light-emitting properties of high-nuclear Ag nanoclusters (NCs). The study reports a remarkable 77-fold increase in photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) at room temperature—a milestone that paves the way for practical applications in optoelectronics and sensing technologies. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on September 30, 2025.

For Details (Eurekalert!)

• Title: Triggering Photoluminescence in High-Nuclear Silver Nanoclusters via Extra Silver Atom Incorporation
• Authors: Aoi Akiyama, Sakiat Hossain, Sourav Biswas, Takafumi Shiraogawa, Pei Zhao, Mana Nakamoto, Daiji Ogata, Tokuhisa Kawawaki, Yoshiki Niihori, Junpei Yuasa, Masahiro Ehara, Yuichi Negishi
• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c10289

• Institute for Molecular Science
• Molecular Science