Research update of emergent gold nanoclusters: A reinforced approach towards evolution, synthesis mechanism and application

Fluorescent biosensors and imaging devices have gained fervent consideration due to their prime functionality in biological. Among fluorescent nanomaterial (FNMs), the ultra-small gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have gained promising attention with respect to extra-ordinary properties of bright fluorescence, economical synthesis, higher photostability, and biocompatibility, and deep tissue penetration. Therefore, the prior decades comprehended the revolutions in the field of real-time monitoring devices, nanotechnology-based biosensing, and bioimaging sensors. The present review primarily focuses on metal NCs (MNCs) and their advantages, a brief introduction of AuNCs along with history prospective and development, fundamental aspects regarding AuNCs quality and fluorescence, limitations and advantages of AuNCs, sensing mechanism, expected synthesis principle, and summarized the recent progress of AuNCs probe over the last 3 years (2019-2021) with their respective detection and bioimaging mechanism and synthesis principle. Moreover, the present work also serves as a novel stratagem for the preparation and potential applications of multifunctional AuNCs nano-systems responsiveness for various analytes detection and cell bioimaging with respective examples. At last, we described the challenges associated with the application of AuNCs based on recent signs of progress.

Automated summary

Fluorescent nanomaterials, especially ultra-small gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), have attracted significant attention in the field of biological applications due to their bright fluorescence, economical synthesis, high photostability, biocompatibility, and deep tissue penetration. This review focuses on the advantages, synthesis principles, and recent progress of AuNCs in real-time monitoring devices, nanotechnology-based biosensing, and bioimaging sensors over the past three years (2019-2021). The challenges associated with the application of AuNCs are also discussed.