Issue 14, 2025

Dimerizing DNA-AgNCs via a C–Ag+–C structure for fluorescence sensing with dual-output signals

Abstract

The unique insertion capability of Ag+ into cytosine–cytosine (C–Ag+–C) mismatch-base pairs enables precise fabrication of DNA-trapped silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) through varying the DNA sequences, thereby offering precise assembly of DNA-AgNCs and demonstrating great fluorescence applications. However, most of the DNA-AgNC-based fluorescence sensors have a single output signal. Herein, we developed a dimerized DNA-AgNC system through C–Ag+–C connection at the 3′-end of a designed DNA. The formation and crack-up of C–Ag+–C endows DNA-AgNCs with the ability to identify Ag+ and cysteine (Cys) with dual-output signals, changed fluorescence intensity (FI) and wavelength-shift in NIR emission around 815 nm via photoinduced electron transfer (PET), respectively. Superior linearity of FI for Cys and Ag+ concentrations was demonstrated. Meanwhile, the practical utility of this platform was also successfully verified in milk and lake water.

Graphical abstract: Dimerizing DNA-AgNCs via a C–Ag+–C structure for fluorescence sensing with dual-output signals

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
23 Dec 2024
Accepted
15 Jan 2025
First published
15 Jan 2025

Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 2961-2964

Dimerizing DNA-AgNCs via a C–Ag+–C structure for fluorescence sensing with dual-output signals

S. Chen, W. Hu, Y. Cheng, Z. Yin, J. Xiao, C. Li, H. Zhao, Q. Dong and Z. Chen, Chem. Commun., 2025, 61, 2961 DOI: 10.1039/D4CC06687A

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