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Water-Dispersible Gold Nanoclusters: Synthesis Strategies,Optical Properties,and Biological Applications |
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| Authors: | Yu Li Dr Tingting Zhai Prof Jing Chen Jiye Shi Prof Lihua Wang Jianlei Shen Prof Xiaoguo Liu |
| Institution: | 1. Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800 P. R. China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 P. R. China;2. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240 P. R. China;3. Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800 P. R. China Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210 P. R. China;4. Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800 P. R. China;5. Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210 P. R. China Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical ProcessesSchool of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200127 P. R. China |
| Abstract: | Atomically precise gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are an emerging class of quantum-sized nanomaterials. Intrinsic discrete electronic energy levels have endowed them with fascinating electronic and optical properties. They have been widely applied in the fields of optoelectronics, photovoltaics, catalysis, biochemical sensing, bio-imaging, and therapeutics. Nevertheless, most AuNCs are synthesized in organic solvents and do not disperse in aqueous solutions; this restricts their biological applications. In this review, we focus on the recent progress in the preparation of water-dispersible AuNCs and their biological applications. We first review different methods of synthesis, including direct synthesis from hydrophilic templates and indirect phase transfer of hydrophobic AuNCs. We then discuss their photophysical properties, such as emission enhancement and fluorescence lifetimes. Next, we summarize their latest applications in the fields of biosensing, biolabeling, and bioimaging. Finally, we outline the challenges and potential for the future development of these AuNCs. |
| Keywords: | bioimaging biosensing phase transfer photophysical properties water-dispersible gold nanoclusters |