Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Enhanced luminescence of Ag nanoclusters via surface modification
Patrick T K Chin1, Marte van der Linden, Elleke J van Harten
1Leiden University Medical Center, Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden, The Netherlands. p.t.k.chin@lumc.nl
Unlabelled:
In this work we present a detailed study on the influence of surface modifications for luminescent silver (Ag) clusters. Ag clusters (25 atoms) capped with dihydrolipoic acid show a distinct absorbance spectrum with several sharp transitions, and relative broad deep red luminescence with a quantum yield of 5% combined with a remarkably long luminescence lifetime of ~3 μs at room temperature. Both pH and the presence of coordinating ligands influence the absorbance spectra and fluorescence intensity. A strong increase in luminescence intensity up to 45% quantum yield could be induced by coordination with PEG ligands.
Conclusion:
the surface coordination of the Ag clusters strongly influences the optical properties.
