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Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Bright, NIR-emitting Au23 from Au25: characterization and applications including biolabeling
Madathumpady Abubaker Habeeb Muhammed1, Pramod Kumar Verma, Samir Kumar Pal
1DST Unit on Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 28, 2009
Summary
A new bright-red-emitting gold subnanocluster, Au(23), was synthesized using a novel interfacial method. This fluorescent gold cluster shows potential as a metal-ion sensor and for bioimaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
Background:
- Gold nanoclusters are gaining attention for their unique optical and electronic properties.
- Controlling the size and properties of gold nanoclusters is crucial for their applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel synthesis route for a bright-red-emitting gold subnanocluster, Au(23).
- To investigate the photophysical properties and potential applications of the synthesized Au(23) subnanocluster.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Au(23) subnanoclusters via core etching of Au(25)SG(18) using an interfacial route.
- Characterization of optical properties, including fluorescence quantum yield and solvent dependency.
- Evaluation of Au(23) as a metal-ion sensor and for bioimaging.
Main Results:
- A bright-red-emitting Au(23) subnanocluster was successfully synthesized.
- Au(23) exhibits water solubility, high fluorescence quantum yield (1.3%), and selective fluorescence quenching by Cu(2+) ions.
- Phase transfer to organic solvents enhanced fluorescence, and Au(23) was used for imaging human hepatoma cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed interfacial route provides a facile method for synthesizing Au(23) subnanoclusters.
- Au(23) demonstrates significant potential as a fluorescent probe for metal-ion sensing and bioimaging.
- The tunable fluorescence properties of Au(23) make it a versatile nanomaterial for various applications.
