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Enhanced-fluorescence of europium–copper nanoclusters for cell imaging

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Abstract

Herein, a facile way to synthesize Cu nanoclusters (CuNCs) has been proposed while insulin played the role as a stabilizer. Specifically, this type of CuNCs existed in tunable diameters of 4–5 nm, and exhibited bright reddish-orange fluorescence with a quantum yield of 7.4 %. Interestingly, the fluorescence intensity of CuNCs could be obviously enhanced and more stable by introducing Eu3+. Moreover, this proposed Eu3+@CuNCs with low toxicity and near-infrared fluorescence may provide potential to broaden avenues for various applications in bioimaging and beyond.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge financial support by Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (XDJK2015A005, XDJK2016D033) and Innovative Research Project for Postgraduate Students of Chongqing (CYS14049).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Hong Miao, Yuanjiao Feng, Dan Zhong & Xiaoming Yang

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  1. Hong Miao
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  2. Yuanjiao Feng
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  3. Dan Zhong
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  4. Xiaoming Yang
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Correspondence to Xiaoming Yang.

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Miao, H., Feng, Y., Zhong, D. et al. Enhanced-fluorescence of europium–copper nanoclusters for cell imaging. J Mater Sci 51, 7229–7235 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0006-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0006-5

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