Dynamic Tracking and Photocatalytic Performance of Single Cd Atom Re‐Doping

The Cd atom is doped into the Au₁₉Cd₃(3,5-DMBT)₁₈ ^- (referred to Au₁₉Cd₃, 3,5-DMBT = 3,5-Dimethylbenzenethiol) nanocluster, obtaining obtained a new cluster Au₁₈Cd₄(3,5-DMBT)18 (referred to Au₁₈Cd₄)Au₁₈Cd₄. Significantly, the kinetic processes of Au₁₉Cd₃ through Au₁₈Cd₄ are studied using traditional time-dependent UV-vis spectra and ESI-MS. However, the kinetic studies are limited to qualitative analysis due to the inability to harmonize their mass spectral patterns. In this case, time-dependent thin-layer chromatography plates (TD-TLC) are introduced into this kinetic study. Benefiting from the inclusion of TD-TLC, the conversion behavior of Au₁₉Cd₃ to Au₁₈Cd₄ is confirmed to be gradual and equiproportional. In combination with the crystal structure of Au₁₈Cd₄, the doping behavior of the fourth Cd atom is traced. Finally, the significance of the conversion of Au₁₉Cd₃ to Au₁₈Cd₄ clusters is illustrated with the help of photocatalysis, in which the further doping of cadmium atoms leads to a continuous increase in the catalytic activity.