Covalent anchoring of atomically precise glutathione-protected gold nanoclusters on graphene oxide nanosheets

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a novel method of producing nanocomposites consisting of gold nanoclusters anchored on graphene oxide nanosheets in a cost-effective and reproducible manner. The novelty of the technique hinges on the covalent functionalization of atomically precise subnanometer gold clusters protected by glutathione (Au15SG13 and Au25SG18) on to graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets according to the 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride crosslinking method, using the existing carboxylic groups present both at the surfaces of the nanoclusters and the GO nanosheets. The atomic precision of glutathione-protected gold nanoclusters was evidenced by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The formed hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by TEM measurements and exhibit nonlinear optical properties characteristic of GO, in particular a strong second harmonic scattering response as well as a multi-photon excited fluorescence spectrum characterized by a broad band in the visible range between 350 and 700 nm. Atomically precise nanoclusters covalently linked to GO nanosheets are therefore promising for new applications in the areas of optoelectronics and photovoltaics.

Engineering Liganded Gold Nanoclusters as Efficient Theranostic Agents for Cancer Applications

“…Thanks to the progress of surface engineering of metal nanoclusters, next generation of metal nanoclusters including Au NCs are now developed based on hybrid assembly of NCs with organic and inorganic nanoparticles. Moreover, the gold nanostructures combination with other materials (in particular 2D platforms) [38] or small molecules (in particular dyes) to improve the nanomaterials photothermal capacity is also largely developed [39] . This led to a vast library of stimuli responsive nanosystems with multimodal imaging capability enabling control release by endogenous or exogenous triggering [40] .…”

Recent progress and prospects of random lasers using advanced materials

“…And the combination of highly luminescent silver nanoclusters electrostatically or covalently bound to 2D matrices (such as graphene oxide nanosheets, 185 as in Fig. 19 186,187 might lead to the next generation RLs designs.…”

Controlling the Chemistry of Nanoclusters: From Atomic Precision to Controlled Assembly

“…In this regard, templates, either stabilizing the clusters or externally added to the medium, have been proposed to play the determinant role in the assemblage process. To this end, macromolecules such as DNA, [ 100 ] macrocycles, [ 101 ] synthetic and natural polymers, [ 102 ] functionalized graphene oxide [ 103 ] have been reported to be instrumental in guiding the assembly of NCs. The chief idea in this approach is to allow concomitant binding of the NCs to the templates as well as spatial organization of the former in a way directed by the latter.…”