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DNA Framework-Guided Self-Limiting Aggregation for Highly Luminescent Metal Cluster Nanoaggregates
Haoran Zheng1, Yan Zhou1, Bingjie Yan1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 13, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a DNA framework to create highly luminescent metal cluster (MC) nanoaggregates, significantly boosting brightness and photostability for advanced sensing and imaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (MCs) exhibit promising photoluminescent properties for chemical sensing and biological imaging.
- Limited brightness and insufficient emission enhancement from conventional ligand engineering hinder practical applications of single-component MCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel DNA framework-guided strategy for preparing highly luminescent metal cluster nanoaggregates.
- To overcome the limitations of single-component MCs and enhance their photoluminescent efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an amphiphilic DNA framework with a hydrophobic core and rigid DNA shell to guide MC self-limiting aggregation.
- Engineered homogeneous MC nanoaggregates with controlled size (10.1 ± 1.2 nm) using DNA nanoconfinement.
- Employed total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy for single-particle analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved substantial enhancements in emission (up to 3011-fold) and quantum yield (up to 87-fold) for various MCs.
- Produced MC nanoaggregates with remarkable nanoscale precision and homogeneity.
- Observed improved photon number distribution and higher photostability in MC nanoaggregates compared to template-free MCs.
Conclusions:
- The DNA framework-guided strategy offers an innovative approach to producing highly luminescent MC nanoaggregates.
- This method significantly enhances the photoluminescent properties of MCs, overcoming previous limitations.
- The developed MC nanoaggregates show great potential for advanced applications in chemical sensing, biological imaging, and nanoparticle construction.
