Self-Assembly of Silver Clusters into One- and Two-Dimensional Structures as Artificial Intelligent Sensors of Alcohol

Abstract Reggeization and response to external stimulus is an important part of artificial intelligence, which would significantly improve the quality of life in the future. The development of new materials for the design of sensitive and responsive sensors has become a crucial component. Here, two silver cluster-based polymers (Ag-CBPs), including one-dimensional (1D) {Ag22(L1)8(CF3CO2)14(CH3OH)2}n chain and two-dimensional (2D) {[Ag12(L2)2(CO2CF3)14(H2O)4(AgCO2CF3)4](HNEt3)2}n film, are designed and used to simulate the human nose - an elegant sensor to smells, to distinguish organic solvents. We study the relationship between the atomic structures of Ag-CBPs determined by X-ray diffraction and electrical properties in the presence of organic solvents (e.g. methanol, ethanol). The ligands, cations and the ligated solvent molecules not only play an important role in the self-assembly process of Ag-CBP materials, but also determine their physiochemical properties. An application of cluster-based polymers is demonstrated in the artificial intelligent sensors.