Fluorescent nanocomposites based on gold nanoclusters for metal ion detection and white light emitting diodes. Issue 7 (12th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yongjie; Feng, Ning; Zhou, Shujin; Xin, Xia
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 13:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 4140
• Page End: 4150
• Publication Date: 2021-02-12
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr09141c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Two nonocomposites with distinct emission properties were obtained by encapsulating MPA-AuNCs in either ZnS QDs or ZIF-8 shell, which were applied for discriminative chemical sensor and white light emitting diode respectively. Abstract : Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are among the most promising organic–inorganic hybrid luminescent materials for various applications. The current development of AuNCs majorly focuses on controlling their luminescence properties. Herein, we report a new strategy to facilely construct two different nanocomposites featuring enhanced photoluminescence based on mercaptopropionic acid-protected AuNCs (MPA-AuNCs). Through co-assembly with Zn 2+ and 2-methylimidazole (2M-IM), the weak luminescence of MPA-AuNCs evolved into either intense blue-green or orange emission at different concentration ratios of additives. HR-TEM and spectroscopic characterization studies revealed that the intense blue-green emission was ascribed to the formation of ZnS quantum dots (QDs) on the outer surface of AuNCs (AuNCs@ZnS), while the strong orange emission originated from the primitive MPA-AuNC core encapsulated by a cubic ZIF-8 shell (AuNCs@ZIF-8). The AuNCs@ZnS nanocomposite was further applied as an exceptional chemical sensor for selective detection of Pb 2+ and Fe 3+ via different quenching mechanisms, and the AuNCs@ZIF-8 composite was applied for fabricating light-converting devices. The co-assembly of AuNCs with Zn 2+ and imidazole derivatives provides a facile strategy for acquiring differentiated nanomaterials that have versatile potential applications in chemical detection and light-converting devices.