Insight into the Geometric and Electronic Structures of Gold/Silver Superatomic Clusters Based on Icosahedron M13 Units and Their Alloys

Abstract Metal superatomic nanoclusters, with electronic structures similar to those of one certain atom, are an important type of metal clusters. Interestingly, metal clusters with metal cores composed of either icosahedral M 13 or icosahedral assemblies always have a greater potential to become superatomic clusters. Furthermore, superatomic clusters with similar electronic compositions could possess various geometric structures, owing to differences in the shells; this provides a deeper understanding of the metal superatomic cluster and the assembly for nanomaterials. Therefore, this review focuses on the geometric and electronic structures of gold/silver superatomic clusters based on icosahedron M 13 units and their alloys, which will facilitate the development of various applications of superatomic clusters.