Highly selective and ultrasensitive detection of Hg~(2+) based on fluorescence quenching of Au nanoclusters by Hg~(2+) -Au~+ interactions

摘要

A simple label-free method for the detection of Hg~(2+) ions with high selectivity and sensitivity has been developed by using fluorescent Au NCs in aqueous media. The sensing mechanism was based on the high-affinity metallophilic Hg~(2+)-Au~+ interactions, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of Au NCs.