Photoluminescent gold nanodots (Au NDs) are prepared via etching and codeposition of hybridized ligands, an antimicrobial peptide (surfactin; SFT), and 1‐dodecanethiol (DT), on gold nanoparticles (≈3.2 nm). As‐prepared ultrasmall SFT/DT–Au NDs (size ≈2.5 nm) are a highly efficient antimicrobial agent. The photoluminescence properties and stability as well as the antimicrobial activity of SFT/DT–Au NDs are highly dependent on the density of SFT on Au NDs. Relative to SFT, SFT/DT–Au NDs exhibit greater antimicrobial activity, not only to nonmultidrug‐resistant bacteria but also to the multidrug‐resistant bacteria. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of SFT/DT–Au NDs are much lower (>80‐fold) than that of SFT. The antimicrobial activity of SFT/DT–Au NDs is mainly due to the synergistic effect of SFT and DT–Au NDs on the disruption of the bacterial membrane. In vitro cytotoxicity and hemolysis analyses have revealed superior biocompatibility of SFT/DT–Au NDs than that of SFT. Moreover, in vivo methicillin‐resistant S. aureus–infected wound healing studies in rats show faster healing, better epithelialization, and are more efficient in the production of collagen fibers when SFT/DT–Au NDs are used as a dressing material. This study suggests that the SFT/DT–Au NDs are a promising antimicrobial candidate for preclinical applications in treating wounds and skin infections.

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Functional logic gates based on lead ions (Pb(2+)) and mercury ions (Hg(2+)) that induce peroxidase-like activities in gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in the presence of platinum (Pt(4+)) and bismuth ions (Bi(3+)) are presented. The "AND" logic gate is constructed using Pt(4+)/Pb(2+) as the input and the peroxidase-like activity of the Au NPs as the output; this logic gate is denoted as "Pt(4+)/Pb(2+)(AND)-Au NPPOX". When Pt(4+) and Pb(2+) coexist, strong metallophilic interactions (between Pt and Pb atoms/ions) and aurophilic interactions (between Au and Pb/Pt atoms/ions) result in significant increases in the deposition of Pt and Pb atoms/ions onto the Au NPs, leading to enhanced peroxidase-like activity. The "INHIBIT" logic gate is fabricated by using Bi(3+) and Hg(2+) as the input and the peroxidase-like activity of the Au NPs as the output; this logic gate is denoted as "Bi(3+)/Hg(2+)(INHIBIT)-Au NPPOX". High peroxidase-like activity of Au NPs in the presence of Bi(3+) is a result of the various valence (oxidation) states of Bi(3+) and Au (Au(+)/Au(0)) atoms on the nanoparticle's surface. When Bi(3+) and Hg(2+) coexist, strong Hg-Au amalgamation results in a large decrease in the peroxidase-like activity of the Au NPs. These two probes (Pt(4+)/Pb(2+)(AND)-Au NPPOX and Bi(3+)/Hg(2+)(INHIBIT)-Au NPPOX) allow selective detection of Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) down to nanomolar quantities. The practicality of these two probes has been validated by analysis of Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) in environmental water samples (tap water, river water, and lake water). In addition, an integrated logic circuit based on the color change (formation of reddish resorufin product) and generation of O2 bubbles from these two probes has been constructed, allowing visual detection of Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) in aqueous solution.

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