Bioactive Luminescent Silver Clusters Confined in Zeolites Enable Quick and Wash‐Free Biosensing

Abstract

The simultaneous capture and detection of biomolecules is crucial for revolutionizing bioanalytical platforms in terms of portability, response time and cost‐efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate how the sensitivity to external stimuli and changes in the local electronic environment of silver clusters lead to an advantageous biosensing platform based on the fluorometric response of bioactive luminescent silver clusters (BioLuSiC) confined in faujasite X zeolites functionalized with antibodies. The photoluminescence response of BioLuSiC was enhanced upon immunocomplex formation, empowering a wash‐free and quick biodetection system offering optimal results from 5 min. Proteins and pathogens (immunoglobulin G and Escherichia coli) were targeted to demonstrate the biosensing performance of BioLuSiC, and a human serum titration assay was also established. BioLuSiC will pave the way for innovative bioanalytical platforms, including real‐time monitoring systems, point‐of‐care devices and bioimaging techniques.

Photonic Solutions for Challenges in Sensing

“…23−25 However, the development of optical sensors, where the detection process occurs in the liquid phase, can avoid surface functionalization, among other cumbersome procedures employed in biosensing, including washing, separation, or blocking procedures. 26 Although this approach is feasible for in vitro diagnostics, it is not particularly suitable for in vivo testing, which generally requires real-time and continuously monitoring.…”