One‐step synthesis of cationic gold nanoclusters with high catalytic activity on luminol chemiluminescence reaction

Abstract

The present study reports a one‐step synthesis method for the preparation of cationic gold nanoclusters (Au NCs). Polyethyleneimine (PEI), a positively charged hyperbranched polyamine, was selected as the capping reagent. Glutathione showed a synergistic effect on the formation of the small size of cationic Au NCs. The prepared cationic Au NCs have a size less than 2 nm and carry a positive charge in solution with pH less than 11. The cationic PEI–Au NCs‐triggered luminol chemiluminescence (CL) reactions showed slow and intense CL profiles. The maximum CL intensity can be obtained within 10 min and the CL signal maintained almost the same within 30 min. A linear increase of CL intensity was observed in the presence of an increasing concentration of cationic Au NCs ranging from 0.030 μM to 15 μM. The linear response of the cationic Au NCs in the CL reaction and the glow‐type CL profile make the proposed CL reaction have broad application prospects in the field of biological analysis and CL imaging.

K+ Ion-Doped Mixed Carbon Nitride: A Daylight-Driven Photocatalyst and Luminophore for Enhanced Chemiluminescence

“…Luminol-based chemiluminescence (CL) system is well-known as one of the powerful methodologies for reactive oxygen species (ROS) because of its ability to produce strong CL emission. − However, as a classical CL system, the H 2 O 2 –luminol system is usually subject to the self-decomposition of H 2 O 2 , which affects its application to a certain extent, − while ROS are active in chemical reactions and could trigger luminol to produce intense CL emission. − Therefore, it is urgent to find a stable and controlled reactant in CL reaction. Hence, researchers turned their attention to the efficient generation process of ROS, especially nanomaterials. − For example, graphene oxide or carbon nitride treated by H 2 O 2 could form stable carbon radicals and ROS on the π bond of the lamellar structure and produce strong CL emission with luminol. , …”

Flower-like Gold Nanoparticles for In Situ Tailoring Luminescent Molecules for Synergistic Enhanced Chemiluminescence

“…It is well-known that AuNPs act as a catalyst to decompose hydrogen peroxide to form • OH, which can react with luminol to enhance CL. 29,30 Based on this catalytic reaction, Cui and co-workers proposed a series of luminol-type CL reagent-functionalized AuNPs. These functionalized AuNPs with excellent CL performance had been successfully applied in immunoassays and DNA assays.…”

“…Chemiluminescence (CL), deriving from the exciton in chemical reactions, has been one of the most powerful means for the fabrication of a simple and sensitive sensing platform due to its rapidity, simple operation, high signal contrast, and wide range of analytes. − In the evolution of CL techniques, gold nanoparticles have been demonstrated to serve as nanoenzymes and emitters for a dramatic increase of CL performance. − The AuNP-catalytic reaction also shows talent in improving analytic performance via tailoring the molecule. It is well-known that AuNPs act as a catalyst to decompose hydrogen peroxide to form • OH, which can react with luminol to enhance CL. , Based on this catalytic reaction, Cui and co-workers proposed a series of luminol-type CL reagent-functionalized AuNPs. These functionalized AuNPs with excellent CL performance had been successfully applied in immunoassays and DNA assays. − Na’s group showed that luminol could generate emission only from radical-mediated spin transfer on the catalyst-like gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and subsequently fabricated a sensor array containing five protein-protected AuNCs for discriminating proteins .…”

Chemiluminescence assay for kanamycin based on target recycling strategy

“…[ 19–21 ] Luminol and its derivatives, as one of the classical luminescent reagents used in CL analysis, are widely used in CL analysis and detection because of relatively good stability, relatively high luminescence quantum yield, simple synthesis method, and other characteristics. [ 22 ] Cui's group [ 23 ] successfully achieved direct reduction of HAuCl 4 with luminol and obtained gold nanoparticles coated with multiple luminol molecules and their oxidation products, which not only had outstanding CL properties, but also showed satisfactory catalytic performance and biocompatibility. The ability to bind sulfhydryl‐functionalized stem–loop DNA molecules makes luminol‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (LumAuNPs) one of the choices for CL probe materials.…”