RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Ultrabright Au@Cu14 nanoclusters: 71.3% phosphorescence quantum yield in non-degassed solution at room temperature JF Science Advances JO Sci Adv FD American Association for the Advancement of Science SP eabd2091 DO 10.1126/sciadv.abd2091 VO 7 IS 2 A1 Song, Yongbo A1 Li, Yingwei A1 Zhou, Meng A1 Liu, Xuan A1 Li, Hao A1 Wang, He A1 Shen, Yuhua A1 Zhu, Manzhou A1 Jin, Rongchao YR 2021 UL http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/2/eabd2091.abstract AB The photoluminescence of metal nanoclusters is typically low, and phosphorescence emission is rare due to ultrafast free-electron dynamics and quenching by phonons. Here, we report an electronic engineering approach to achieving very high phosphorescence (quantum yield 71.3%) from a [Au@Cu14(SPhtBu)12(PPh(C2H4CN)2)6]+ nanocluster (abbreviated Au@Cu14) in non-degassed solution at room temperature. The structure of Au@Cu14 has a single-Au-atom kernel, which is encapsulated by a rigid Cu(I) complex cage. This core-shell structure leads to highly efficient singlet-to-triplet intersystem crossing and suppression of nonradiative energy loss. Unlike the phosphorescent organic materials and organometallic complexes—which require de-aerated conditions due to severe quenching by air (i.e., O2)—the phosphorescence from Au@Cu14 is much less sensitive to air, which is important for lighting and biomedical applications.