Panchromatic Fluorogenic Generation of Luminescent Silver Nanodots by Cluster Transfer

Spatial and temporal control of fluorogenic reactions is important in cellular staining and fluorophore printing. Herein, versatile spectrally pure luminescent silver nanodots are selectively generated by silver cluster transference from polymer to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) throughout the whole visible to near-IR regions. In this transfer process, the emission intensity of the silver nanodot is dramatically enhanced. Meanwhile, compared to the direct generation of fluorophores, this transfer strategy also shows great advantages with respect to the fluorogenic spectral range and the speed of fluorophore generation. More impressively, multiple, versatile silver nanodots can be generated in a single step by silver cluster transfer. Its applicability is demonstrated both in solution and on the surface by visualizing variously printed ssDNA molecules on bright silver nanodots.

Automated summary

Controlling the spatial and temporal aspects of fluorogenic reactions is crucial in cellular staining and fluorophore printing. This study demonstrates the selective generation of versatile spectrally pure luminescent silver nanodots by transferring silver clusters from polymers to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). This transfer process dramatically enhances the emission intensity of the silver nanodots and offers advantages in terms of spectral range and speed of fluorophore generation. Additionally, multiple silver nanodots can be generated in a single step, making it applicable for visualizing printed ssDNA on silver nanodots in solution and on surfaces.