Photoluminescent nanomaterials--including carbon dots, gold nanodots, gold nanoclusters, silver nanoclusters, and copper nanoclusters--have emerged as sensitive sensing materials. Carbon dots and protein-templated gold nanoclusters are biocompatible and stable against salt and photoirradiation, both having great potential for cell imaging. Some of the photoluminescent nanomaterials possess biological activities; for example, carbon dots for the inhibition of growth of cancer cells, and gold and silver nanoclusters for antibacterial activity.
Main image credit: | Yu-Fen Wu, Hsi-Chin Wu, Chen-Hsiang Kuan, Chun-Jui Lin, Li-Wen Wang, Chien-Wen Chang, Tzu-Wei Wang (2016). Multi-functionalized carbon dots as theranostic nanoagent for gene delivery in lung cancer therapy. Scientific Reports, 6. 2016. |
Background image credit: | Xiaochan Yuan, Zhiming Liu, Zhouyi Guo, Yanhong Ji, Mei Jin, Xinpeng Wang (2014). Cellular distribution and cytotoxicity of graphene quantum dots with different functional groups. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2014. |
ScienceOpen disciplines: | Chemistry |
Keywords: | copper nanoclusters, silver nanoclusters, gold nanoclusters, gold nanodots, carbon dots, antibacterial activity, cell imaging, cancer, sensors, nanoscience |
DOI: | 10.14293/S2199-1006.1.SOR-CHEM.CLTMZ3N.v1 |