Covalently Binding Atomically Designed Au9 Clusters to Chemically Modified Graphene

Atomic‐resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to identify individual Au₉ clusters on a sulfur‐functionalized graphene surface. The clusters were preformed in solution and covalently attached to the surface without any dispersion or aggregation. Comparison of the experimental images with simulations allowed the rotational motion, without lateral displacement, of individual clusters to be discerned, thereby demonstrating a robust covalent attachment of intact clusters to the graphene surface.     

Cu nanoclusters-based ratiometric fluorescence probe for ratiometric and visualization detection of copper ions

Copper is a highly toxic environmental pollutant with bioaccumulative properties. Therefore, sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ is very important to prevent over-ingestion, and visual detection is preferred for practical applications. In this work, we developed a simple and environmental friendly approach to synthesize hyperbranched polyethyleneimine-protected copper nanoclusters (hPEI-Cu NCs) with great stability against extreme pH, high ionic strength, thiols etching and light illumination, which were then conjugated to the surface of silica coated CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to design a ratiometric fluorescence probe. In the presence of different amounts of Cu²⁺ ions, the fluorescence of Cu NCs can be drastically quenched, while the emission from QDs stayed constant to serve as a reference signal and the color of the probe changed from yellow-green to red, resulting in ratiometric and visualization detection of Cu²⁺ ion with high accuracy. The detection limit for Cu²⁺ was estimated to be 8.9 nM, much lower than the allowable level of Cu²⁺ in drinking water (∼20 μM) set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, this probe can be also applied for the determination of Cu²⁺ ion in complex real water samples.     

Exploring AuRh Nanoalloys: A Computational Perspective on the Formation and Physical Properties

We studied the formation of AuRh nanoalloys (between 20–150 atoms) in the gas phase by means of Molecular Dynamics (MD) calculations, exploring three possible formation processes: one-by-one growth, coalescence, and nanodroplets annealing. As a general trend, we recover a predominance of Rh@Au core-shell ordering over other chemical configurations. We identify new structural motifs with enhanced thermal stabilities. The physical features of those selected systems were studied at the Density Functional Theory (DFT) level, revealing profound correlations between the nanoalloys morphology and properties. Surprisingly, the arrangement of the inner Rh core seems to play a dominant role on nanoclusters’ physical features like the HOMO-LUMO gap and magnetic moment. Strong charge separations are recovered within the nanoalloys suggesting the existence of charge-transfer transitions.     

脯氨酸保护的铜纳米团簇的制备及其在三硝基苯酚检测中的应用

以脯氨酸(Pro)为保护剂,盐酸羟胺为还原剂,通过一步化学还原法制备脯氨酸稳定的铜纳米团簇(Cu NCs)。采用分子荧光仪和紫外可见吸收仪对Cu NCs的光学性质进行分析,通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和傅里叶变换红外波谱仪(FTIR)对Cu NCs的结构进行表征。TEM图像显示Cu NCs的形貌为球状,平均直径为1.89 nm。Cu NCs溶液在紫外光下呈蓝色,最大激发和发射波长分别为397和458 nm。Cu NCs的荧光可以选择性地被三硝基苯酚(PA)猝灭。该探针对PA的线性响应范围为0.5~15μmol/L和20~70μmol/L,检测限为0.092μmol/L(S/N=3)。可能的检测机理是静态猝灭和内滤效应。此外,该荧光探针已成功应用于实际水样品中PA的测定。     

DNA/银纳米簇在分析检测中的应用

银纳米簇(AgNCs)为几个到数十个原子所组成的聚集体,核尺寸小于2 nm,具有优异的物理化学性质,常以聚合物、蛋白质、DNA等作为模板采用化学合成法制备,其中以DNA为模板合成的AgNCs(DNA/AgNCs)是一种新型的发光纳米材料,其突出的荧光特性和良好的生物相容性,被应用于纳米传感器、细胞标记与检测等多种分析领域,引起广泛关注。本文针对近些年来DNA/AgNCs在重金属离子、有机小分子、核酸、蛋白质、细胞分析检测方面的最新应用进展以及面临的问题进行简要总结概括。     

Metal‐Folded Single‐Chain Nanoparticle: Nanoclusters and Self‐Assembled Reduction‐Responsive Sub‐5‐nm Discrete Subdomains

Easy access to discrete nanoclusters in metal‐folded single‐chain nanoparticles (metal‐SCNPs) and independent ultrafine sudomains in the assemblies via coordination‐driven self‐assembly of hydrophilic copolymer containing 9% imidazole groups is reported herein. ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering, and NMR diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy results demonstrate self‐assembly into metal‐SCNPs (>70% imidazole‐units folded) by neutralization in the presence of Cu(II) in water to pH 4.6. Further neutralization induces self‐assembly of metal‐SCNPs (pH 4.6–5.0) and shrinkage (pH 5.0–5.6), with concurrent restraining residual imidazole motifs and hydrophilic segment, which organized into constant nanoparticles over pH 5.6–7.5. Atomic force microscopy results evidence discrete 1.2 nm nanoclusters and sub‐5‐nm subdomains in metal‐SCNP and assembled nanoparticle. Reduction of metal center using sodium ascorbate induces structural rearrangement to one order lower than the precursor. Enzyme mimic catalysis required media‐tunable discrete ultrafine interiors in metal‐SCNPs and assemblies have hence been achieved.     

基于纳米金与纳米银簇间表面等离子增强能量转移效应特异性检测microRNA

microRNAs(miRNAs)的灵敏检测对临床诊断具有十分重要的意义.本研究采用偶联DNA聚合酶和核酸内切酶介导的恒温扩增反应实现靶标循环再生的策略,利用纳米金(AuNPs)与纳米银簇(AgNCs)间表面等离子增强能量转移效应,开发了一种miRNA定量检测方法.在AuNPs表面组装两种探针(Probe a和Probe b)制备响应元件Probe b-Probe a-AuNP,其中Probe a通过3′端巯基共价偶联到AuNPs表面,此外具有靶标miRNA互补序列、核酸内切酶酶切序列和Probe b互补序列,Probe b为荧光AgNCs合成模板.靶标miRNA存在时,启动酶级联恒温扩增反应,导致Probe b脱离AuNPs表面,抑制了Probe b为模板合成的AgNCs与AuNPs间表面等离子增强能量转移效应,使得反应体系荧光信号增强.本方法的检出限为2.5×10-11 mol/L,与miRNAs商业化检测试剂盒相比,避免了逆转录反应,而且操作简单,检测成本低,可应用于生物样本中miRNAs分析.     

基于铜纳米簇的聚集诱导发光检测铅离子

基于谷胱甘肽保护的非贵金属铜纳米簇(Cu NCs@GSH)的聚集诱导发光现象,建立了快速检测铅离子(Pb2+)的“Turn on”型荧光分析方法.Cu NCs@GSH溶液荧光强度很弱,当存在pb2+时,荧光强度可显著增强,溶液显示明亮的橙黄色.基于此原理建立了检测pb2+的荧光方法,线性范围为200～700 μmol/L,检出限为106 μmol/L,常见金属离子不干扰pb2+的测定.本方法简单快速、选择性高,可实现对pb2+的可视化定性检测.     

基于对荧光铜纳米簇合成的抑制检测三聚氰胺

三聚氰胺能与铜离子(Cu2+)形成配合物,对荧光铜纳米簇的合成有明显抑制作用,且其抑制程度与三聚氰胺浓度在一定范围内呈线性关系.基于此构建了一种简单、快速检测三聚氰胺的方法.以聚T单链DNA为模板合成的铜纳米簇作为荧光探针,当三聚氰胺存在时,Cu2+与三聚氰胺生成配合物,阻碍铜纳米簇的合成,导致荧光强度降低.在优化的实验条件下,三聚氰胺浓度在5~120 μmol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,检出限为1.5 μmol/L,牛奶样品中三聚氰胺加标回收率为96.3%~104.4%.与传统纳米金/银、量子点等方法相比,本方法具有简单、快速、灵敏等优点.