Multi-stimuli responsive copper nanoclusters with bright red luminescence for quantifying acid phosphatase activity via redox-controlled luminescence switch

Thiolate-protected copper nanoclusers (CuNCs) are emerging as a promising class of luminescent materials since its unique optical properties such as aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and intriguing molecular-like behavior have been explored for sensing application. In this work, multi-stimuli responsive property of CuNCs was first investigated in depth and further adopted to develop a reliable and sensitive ACP assay. Penicilamine-capped CuNCs from a facile one-pot synthesis possess bright red luminescence and distinctive multi-stimuli responsive behaviors. Its sensitive and reversible response in luminescence to pH and temperature is originated from its inherent AIE property, and can be constructed as luminescent nanoswitches controlled by these external stimuli for precisely monitoring the change of environmental pH or temperature. The specific redox-responsive behavior of CuNC aggregates is found from severe luminescence quenching in the presence of a small amount of ferric or silver ions, and this sensitive response in luminescence to the preceding species is proved to be due to the conversion of Cu(II) from copper atoms with lower valence inside CuNCs. The luminescence switch of CuNC aggregates controlled by specific external potentials is further utilized to design a novel detection strategy for ACP activity. The great difference in luminescence quenching of CuNCs induced by iron(III) pyrophosphate (FePPi2) complex and free ferric ions enables us to quantitatively monitor ACP level by the luminescence change as variation of ACP activity in the assay solution. This assay is able to detect ACP level as lower as 0.8 U/L, and covers a broad linear scope of 100.0 U/L. This work reports redox-responsive property of CuNCs and its underlying nature due to the oxidation of its interior copper atoms, and provides a sensitive assay method for ACP activity which is sufficiently sensitive for practical measurement in real samples. [Display omitted] •Multi-stimuli responsive copper nanoclusters were prepared by a facile one-pot synthesis.•Two excellently reversible nanoswitches driven by pH and temperature were designed.•A luminescent assay for acid phosphatase was developed based on redox-controlled switch.