Issue 26, 2024

Analytical method for the determination of the absorption coefficient of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters

Abstract

DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) are biocompatible emitters formed by silver atoms and cations encapsulated in DNA oligomers. Here, we present an analytical approach to calculate the molar absorption coefficient (ε) of these systems, which consists of combining UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). ESI-MS enables the determination of the number of silvers bound to the DNA strands, whereas ICP-OES allows measurement of the total amount of silver in solution. The data is used to calculate the concentration of DNA-AgNCs and together with UV-Vis absorbance, allows for the calculation of ε. We compare the obtained ε with the experimental values previously determined through fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and theoretical estimates based on the ε of the DNA itself. Finally, the experimental radiative decay rates (kf) and ε values are evaluated and compared to those typically found for organic fluorophores, highlighting the molecular-like nature of the DNA-AgNC emission.

Graphical abstract: Analytical method for the determination of the absorption coefficient of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Apr 2024
Accepted
04 Jun 2024
First published
18 Jun 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 12559-12566

Analytical method for the determination of the absorption coefficient of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters

G. Romolini, C. Cerretani, V. Rück, M. B. Liisberg, C. B. Mollerup and T. Vosch, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 12559 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR01765J

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