A New Phase Transfer Strategy to Convert Protein‐Capped Nanomaterials into Uniform Fluorescent Nanoclusters in Reverse Micellar Phase

Abstract

A new phase transfer strategy to convert aqueous phase protein-protected nanomaterials into fluorescent nanoclusters in the reverse micellar environment is introduced using bovine serum albumin (BSA)-protected silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) and nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an example. The basic pH employed in the fabrication of protein-protected nanoclusters induces the the protein capping to be negatively charged and facilitates the transfer process of the nanomaterials from aqueous phase to a cationic gemini surfactant (16-2-16)/hexane/hexanol/water reverse micelle (RM) phase. The original fluorescence characteristics of the seed nanocluster is retained after the transfer process. Strikingly, when both the nanomaterials (AgNCs and AgNPs) coexist in the aqueous feed solution, they are exclusively converted into uniform nanoclusters in the RM extract with enhanced fluorescence intensity.

Amino Acid-Driven Dimensional Reduction of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals

“…46 A few other groups also reported the optical spectra of the CsPb 2 Br 5 phase in a similar region, further strengthening our claim of formation of the CsPb 2 Br 5 phase. 47,48 To emphasize the generality of this chemical transformation approach, we investigated the interaction of CsPbBr 3 PNCs with other AAs, e.g., threonine, and the corresponding absorption and PL spectra are shown in Figure S2. Similar to cysteine-treated CsPbBr 3 PNCs, both the absorption and PL spectra of the threonine-treated CsPbBr 3 PNCs depict a strong blue shift, directing the formation of CsPb 2 Br 5 NCs.…”

Exploring cationic polyelectrolyte–micelle interaction via excited-state proton transfer. Signatures of probe transfer

“…[4][5][6] The formation and disassembly of these aggregates are often applied as pattern generation in biomolecular sensing, 7 nanoreactors, 8 and shape-charge controlled anisotropic nanomaterial synthesis. [9][10][11] Understanding the interaction and complex formation between (poly)zwitterionic and (poly)cationic molecules is further challenging. 12 Polyelectrolyte-aggregates often serve as a nanoconfinement for catalysis, 13 coacervate entities, 14 and biomimicking moieties.…”

Peptide‐Engineered Fluorescent Nanomaterials: Structure Design, Function Tailoring, and Biomedical Applications

“…Previously, more efforts have been performed to functionalize the surface of nanomaterials to improve their biocompatibility and decrease potential toxicity to human cells. [ 17,18 ] Various biocompatible molecules, such as DNA, [ 19 ] proteins, [ 20 ] peptides, [ 21 ] and biopolymers [ 22 ] have exhibited promising applications to conjugate with fluorescent nanomaterials to achieve better biomedical performance.…”