Visualization of Polymer–Surfactant Interaction by Dual-Emissive Gold Nanocluster Labeling

Abstract

Polymer-surfactant interaction decides the performance of corresponding complexes, making its rapid and intuitionistic visualization important for enhancing the performance of products and/or processing in related fields. In this study, the fluorescence visualization of the interaction between cationic hyperbranched polyethyleneimine and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfonate surfactant was realized by dual-emissive gold nanocluster labeling. The sensing mechanism was due to the interaction-induced polymer conformation change, which regulated the molecular structure and subsequent photoradiation process of the gold nanoclusters. All three inflection points of the interactions between the polymers and the surfactants were obtained by the change in fluorescence emission ratio of the designed dual-emissive gold nanoclusters. Moreover, these inflection points are verified by the hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential measurements.

Recent Advances in Gold Nanocluster-Based Biosensing and Therapy: A Review

“…To take Au NCs to the next level, function-programmable Au NCs with the advantages of easy preparation, high stability, and strong emission are needed. In addition to idiographic substances, the detection/visualization of environmental variation, specific interaction, and essential process is also an important aspect [98,99]. Moreover, through proper design, synergistic interactions with boosted therapeutic performances are an interesting research direction [100][101][102][103].…”

Isolation and Purification of Single Gold Nanoclusters by Alternate Pumping Chromatography

“…Current applications include, among many others, the sensing of molecular interactions [43], nanoprobes for neurotransmitters [44] and catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 [45]. An overview on the field is given in [46].…”