DNA-templated silver nanoclusters: structural correlation and fluorescence modulation

Abstract

12 years after the introduction of DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs), exciting progress has been made and yet we are still in the midst of trying to fully understand this nanomaterial. The prominent excellence of DNA-AgNCs is undoubtedly its modulatable emission property, of which how variation in DNA templates causes emission tuning remains elusive. Based on the up-to-date DNA-AgNCs, we aim to establish the correlation between the structure/sequence of DNA templates and emission behaviour of AgNCs. Herein, we systematically present a wide-range of DNA-AgNCs based on the structural complexity of the DNA templates, including single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), triple-stranded DNA (tsDNA) and DNA nanostructures. For each DNA category, we discuss the emission property, quantum yield and synthesis condition of the respective AgNCs, before cross-comparing the impact of different DNA scaffolds on the properties of AgNCs. A future outlook for this area is given as a conclusion. By putting the information together, this review may shed new light on understanding DNA-AgNCs while we are expecting continuous breakthroughs in this field.

Research Update: Density functional theory investigation of the interactions of silver nanoclusters with guanine

“…12 In particular, silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) are of interest, and these systems involve stabilizing ligands to prevent them from oxidation and aggregation. 13 Dendrimers, synthetic polymers, biopolymers, thiol ligands, and inorganic matrices have been used as the stabilizing ligands for AgNCs. 6,11,[14][15][16][17] In 2004, Dickson and coworkers first discovered the formation of DNA-templated Ag nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) where they showed that DNA acts as a template for the time-dependent and size-specific formation of nanoclusters.…”

“…[4][5][6][7]14,[23][24][25][26] The emission tunability can also be altered through experimental conditions, 19,20,27,28 but changing the DNA template itself is considered superior due to the higher functionality in the DNA-AgNCs through emission tuning. 13 Various research groups have conducted extensive experimental investigations on DNA-AgNCs. Many studies have been performed to understand the effects from the DNA base pairs on the small AgNCs (∼Ag 2 -Ag 30 ) 18,[29][30][31][32] and some provide insights into creating AgNCs using different DNA platforms.…”

Synthesis of Branched DNA Scaffolded Super‐Nanoclusters with Enhanced Antibacterial Performance

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formation of AgNC and tune the size and fluorescent properties of AgNC. [23][24][25] Many DNA structures have been employed to prepare DNA/AgNC, such as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), [26][27][28] double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), [29][30][31] and triple-stranded DNA (tsDNA) [32] . As an artificial DNA nanoarchitecture, branched DNA was built up from ssDNA, which could assemble into different arm junctions in a highly controlled fashion.

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Origin of the Photoluminescence of Metal Nanoclusters: From Metal-Centered Emission to Ligand-Centered Emission

“…Au and Ag NCs in particular have attracted tremendous interest because of their wide applications in single-molecule studies, sensing, biolabeling, catalysis, and biological fluorescence imaging [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The physical and chemical properties of metal nanoclusters (MNCs) are highly dependent on their size, shape, composition, and even assembly architecture [17][18][19][20]. These clusters are composed of a few to hundreds of atoms with a size approaching the Fermi wavelength of an electron (~0.5 nm for Au and Ag), and they possess discrete molecular-like electronic energy band structures, resulting in intense light absorption and emission.…”