UV-light-induced synthesis of PEI-CuNCs based on Cu2+-quenched fluorescence turn-on assay for sensitive detection of biothiols, acetylcholinesterase activity and inhibitor

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

“…Apart from standard analytical techniques, CuNCsbased sensors have found important applications for detecting Cu ions in drinking water samples. 115,250,[252][253][254] Zhihe Qing et al 251 prepared poly(thymine)-templated and highly fluorescent (QY 11.2%) CuNCs as a turn-on sensor for Cu 2+ detection and its toxicides screening. The sensor showed good performances and could detect 5.6 μM of copper concentrations in contaminated water samples.…”

“…127 The synergistic effect of Pb 2+ and Zr 4+ on GSH-CuNCs greatly enhanced the PL properties and the latter was applied for the detection of cholesterol with the detection limit down to 2.7 μM. 254 However much better sensitivity and analytical performance for biothiols were achieved when poly(thymine)-CuNCs were applied as a probe. 325 The minimum detectable concentrations of GSH, Cys and Hcy were 15 nM, 12.5 nM and 20 nM, respectively.…”

“…Apart from colorimetric and electrochemical detection methods, recently fluorometric methods gain much interest due to simplicity and faster analysis. Taking advantage of their fluorescent properties, Jinlan Yang et al, 254 Mengke Wang et al 365 and Pengjuan Ni et al 366 developed CuNCs-based fluorometric probes to detect AChE activity in human serum samples. Within the proposed sensing strategies, the LODs of the sensors were 1.38 mU/mL, 254 0.56 U/L 365 and 0.05 mU/mL.…”

Ligand functionalized copper nanoclusters for versatile applications in catalysis, sensing, bioimaging, and optoelectronics

“…cysteine and GSH). 23 Herein, -SH functional groups interacted strongly with Cu 2+ (introduced into the reaction mixture) as a quencher. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is capable of hydrolyzing acetylthiocholine into thiocholine, has a strong tendency in forming a complex with Cu 2+ ; hence, it could be assayed by PEI-Cu NCs with a linear range of 3-200 mU mL À1 and LOD of 1.38 mU mL À1 .…”

“…Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is capable of hydrolyzing acetylthiocholine into thiocholine, has a strong tendency in forming a complex with Cu 2+ ; hence, it could be assayed by PEI-Cu NCs with a linear range of 3-200 mU mL À1 and LOD of 1.38 mU mL À1 . 23 This approach was also used for detecting an AChE typical inhibitor, tacrine. 23 In another study, a dualemitting nanohybrid was prepared based on blue emitting carbon dots modified with 3-aminophenyl boronic acid (APBA-CDs) and BSA-Cu NCs for the detection of dopamine.…”