Enhancement of fluorescence brightness and stability of copper nanoclusters using Zn2+ for ratio-metric sensing of S2-

It is acknowledged water soluble copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) are extremely unstable in aqueous solutions, which limit their fluorescence applications to a great extent In this work, it is found the fluorescence intensity and stability of water soluble Cu NCs could obviously be enhanced by the introduction of Zn2+. Then, the as modified Cu NCs will be stable enough to be applied as a ratio-metric sensor for S2-. This method may provide more broaden avenues for the application of fluorescent Cu NCs in the future. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.