Charge state-dependent catalytic activity of [Au25(SC12H25)18] nanoclusters for the two-electron reduction of dioxygen to hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The electrochemical production of H₂O₂ from O₂ catalyzed by [Au₂₅(SC₁₂H₂₅)₁₈] was studied as a function of the charge state (−1, 0 and +1). Maximum H₂O₂ production (∼90%) was obtained from the negatively charged clusters (Au₂₅⁻) due to the efficient electron transfer from the anionic Au₂₅⁻ cluster into the LUMO (π*) of O₂.