DNA Nanoribbon‐Templated Self‐Assembly of Ultrasmall Fluorescent Copper Nanoclusters with Enhanced Luminescence

Abstract

Fluorescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) have been widely used in chemical sensors, biological imaging, and light‐emitting devices. However, individual fluorescent CuNCs have limitations in their capabilities arising from poor photostability and weak emission intensities. As one kind of aggregation‐induced emission luminogen (AIEgen), the formation of aggregates with high compactness and good order can efficiently improve the emission intensity, stability, and tunability of CuNCs. Here, DNA nanoribbons, containing multiple specific binding sites, serve as a template for in situ synthesis and assembly of ultrasmall CuNCs (0.6 nm). These CuNC self‐assemblies exhibit enhanced luminescence and excellent fluorescence stability because of tight and ordered arrangement through DNA nanoribbons templating. Furthermore, the stable and bright CuNC assemblies are demonstrated in the high‐sensitivity detection and intracellular fluorescence imaging of biothiols.

Copper nanoclusters: designed synthesis, structural diversity, and multiplatform applications

“…Another biothiol sensor based on DNA nanoribbon-templated CuNCs with QY as high as 12.3% has been applied for the detection of GSH and Cys. 326 Within the developed sensing strategy, the lowest detectable concentrations of analytes were LODs 0.43 and 0.31 μM for GSH and Cys, respectively. A detection platform for biogenic amino acids was also established using templated…”

“…Aberration-Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (AC-STEM) 432 or similar techniques are more appropriate for the imaging of ultra-small clusters since they are i) non-destructive (the applied voltages are considerably lower compared to conventional TEM technique) and (ii) they provide ultra-high resolution images as well as allow the determination of the number of metal atoms inside the cluster. On this note, STEM techniques have been applied for the size determination (as well as the number of metal atoms) of copper 31,218,321,326,409,410 and gold 433,434 clusters, and copper/gold bimetallic clusters 435 in a more accurate and controllable way. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a surface sensitive analytical technique to analyse the composition, oxidation state and empirical formula of the material being analysed.…”

DNA Based and Stimuli-Responsive Smart Nanocarrier for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer: Applications and Challenges

“…Rigid and programmable DNA tiles have previously been used to cause significant one-dimensional (1D) nanoribbons, nanotubes, two-dimensional (2D) arrays, and even three-dimensional (3D) crystals [34]. By use of different technologies number of researchers design different nanoribbons to deliver the siRNA, DOX, photosensitizer, and so on [35]. Weizmann et al developed DNA nanoribbon by a modified DNA origami strategy.…”

The potential of an MOF accelerator in an electrochemiluminescence system for sensitive detection of menthol enantiomers

“…Enhancing the ECL signal is crucial for sensor sensitivity improvement, as it directly influences the output signal of the target. 17,18 Given that the generation of the ECL signal is contingent upon the interplay between the luminescent entity and the coreactant, which induces the emission of excited states, the amplification of the signal fundamentally hinges on the enhancement of this electrochemical reaction's efficiency. 19,20 A coreaction accelerator can be incorporated into the system to augment reaction efficiency.…”