Aggregation-caused dual-signal response of gold nanoclusters for ratiometric optical detection of cysteine

Designing ratiometric sensors for cysteine (Cys) monitoring with high accuracy is of great significance for disease diagnosis and biomedical studies. The current ratiometric methods mainly rely on multiplex probes, which not only complicates the operation but also increases the cost, making it difficult for quantitative Cys detection in resource-limited areas. Herein, one-pot prepared gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) that glow red fluorescent were synthesized by employing glutathione as the stabilizer and reducing agent. When Fe 3+ is present with Au NCs, the fluorescence is quenched and the scattering is strong because of the aggregation of Au NCs. With introduction of Cys, Cys can efficiently compete with glutathione-modified Au NCs for Fe 3+ , which leads to increase of fluorescence and decrease of scattering. The ratiometric determination of Cys can be thereby realized by collecting the fluorescence and SRS spectrum simultaneously. The linear range for Cys was 5–30 µM with a detection limit of 1.5 µM. In addition, the sensing system exhibits good selectivity for Cys and shows potential application in biological samples. Graphical Abstract