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Published on: December 22, 2015
Unlocking multi-photon excited luminescence in pyrazolate trinuclear gold clusters for dynamic cell imaging
Yu-Xin Chen1,2, Haidong Yu3, Lihua Wu4
1GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR China.
Researchers developed novel gold(I) clusters with multi-photon luminescence for bio-imaging. Electrospinning created a biocompatible film, enabling nanoparticle release for real-time cell and bacteria imaging.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coinage-metal-based cyclic trinuclear complexes offer photophysical properties but face limitations in biochemistry due to particle size and hydrophobicity.
- The multi-photon excited luminescence of these complexes was previously undocumented, hindering their use in bio-imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multi-photon excited luminescence of pyrazolate-based trinuclear gold(I) clusters.
- To develop a biocompatible and stable formulation for these gold(I) clusters for bio-imaging applications.
- To demonstrate the utility of these nanoparticles in real-time, non-toxic multi-photon bio-imaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of pyrazolate-based trinuclear gold(I) clusters.
- Fabrication of a flexible, durable, and transparent film using electrospinning with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.
- Characterization of the film's properties, including photoluminescence quantum yield and stability.
- In vitro imaging of cells and bacteria using the released gold(I) nanoparticles via multi-photon excitation.
Main Results:
- Unveiled multi-photon excited luminescence in pyrazolate-based trinuclear gold(I) clusters, attributed to excimeric gold(I)···gold(I) interactions.
- Developed a red emissive film with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (88.3%) and improved hydrophilicity and stability.
- Successfully downsized trinuclear gold(I) clusters from microscale to nanoscale within the film.
- Demonstrated real-time, non-toxic multi-photon bio-imaging of cells and bacteria using released nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- Pyrazolate-based trinuclear gold(I) clusters exhibit significant multi-photon luminescence, opening avenues for nonlinear optical applications.
- Electrospinning provides an effective strategy to create biocompatible, nanoscale formulations of these gold clusters for bio-imaging.
- This approach overcomes previous limitations, enabling effective multi-photon bio-imaging in biological systems.
