Tandem detection of aluminum ion and norfloxacin by Au-doped copper nanoclusters based on AIE and coordination reaction

Herein, we proposed a method for dual detection of Al3+ and norfloxacin (NOR) by Au-doped N-acetyl-L-cysteine capped copper nanoclusters (NAC-Cu@AuNCs) following a tandem process. The non-luminescent NAC-Cu@AuNCs was fabricated via a bottom-up reduction method. Under neutral solutions, Al3+ was detected sensitively and selectively based on AIE mechanism. The sensing achieved satisfactory results, displaying a broad linear range from 0.1 mu M to 90 mu M and a low LOD of 0.15 mu M, which is significantly lower than the World Health Organization criterion (7.41 mu M). Subsequently, ratiometric sensing of NOR was further successfully realized by Al3+/NAC-Cu@AuNCs via coordination reaction between NOR and Al3+. A good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 0.02-16 mu M, with LOD as low as 38.3 nM. This work shows great potential in constructing MNCs as sensors for multifunctional detection by combinatorial principles.

Automated summary

In this study, a method for dual detection of Al3+ and norfloxacin (NOR) using Au-doped N-acetyl-L-cysteine capped copper nanoclusters (NAC-Cu@AuNCs) was proposed. Sensitivity and selectivity towards Al3+ was achieved based on AIE mechanism. The sensor displayed a broad linear range (0.1 mu M to 90 mu M) and a low LOD (0.15 mu M), significantly lower than the WHO criterion (7.41 mu M). Ratiometric sensing of NOR was further realized by Al3+/NAC-Cu@AuNCs via coordination reaction, with a good linear relationship in the range of 0.02-16 mu M and a low LOD of 38.3 nM. This work demonstrates the great potential of using MNCs as multifunctional sensors based on combinatorial principles.