Preparation and characterization of solid DNA silver nanoclusters with superior aerobic and thermal stability

In the current study, we present a universal method to preserve DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA AgNCs) in the solid-state. Our results show that DNA AgNCs must be precipitated before drying. By drying the ethanol precipitated DNA AgNCs, we have successfully prepared solid DNA AgNCs with superior stability in aerobic and high-temperature environments. Although the fluorescence lifetime measurements show that the emission of DNA AgNCs is drastically quenched in the solid-state, the emission can be fully recovered in solution. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to prepare DNA AgNCs in solid-state, and this finding provides an ideal solution for the transportation and long-term preservation of DNA AgNCs.