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Aluminum(III) triggered aggregation-induced emission of glutathione-capped copper nanoclusters as a fluorescent probe for creatinine

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Abstract

Glutathione-capped copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) are presented that display aggregation-induced emission (AIE). This feature was exploited for selective and sensitive quantification of creatinine (CRN) which is an important diagnostic parameter. In the presence of Al3+ ions, such CuNCs rapidly aggregate, and this induces enhanced a red emission. The AIE nature of CuNCs was proven via TEM and fluorimetry. On addition of CRN, the coordination between CRN and Al3+ ions led to the quenching of fluorescence due to weakening the AIE. The best fluorescence intensity was measured at excitation/emission peaks of 360/585 nm. Quenched fluorescence intensity showed a linear dependence on the concentrations of CRN in the range of 2.5–34 μgL−1 with a detection limit of 0.63 μgL−1. The sensing mechanism of probe for CRN detection is discussed. The probe was applied to the determination of CRN in spiked human serum samples and gave satisfactory results.

Aluminum(III) ions trigger the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in glutathione-capped copper nanoclusters (CuNCs). Introduction of creatinine leads to deaggregation of CuNC aggregates, and this is accompanied by the quenching of the luminescence. This phenomenon was exploited in an assay for creatinine.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank the University of Tabriz for the support provided. Roghayeh Jalili as a postdoc researcher gratefully acknowledges use of the services and facilities of the University of Tabriz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratory of Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, 51666-16471, Iran

    Roghayeh Jalili & Alireza Khataee

  2. Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran

    Alireza Khataee

  3. Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Near East University, 99138 Nicosia, North Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey

    Alireza Khataee

Authors
  1. Roghayeh Jalili
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Correspondence to Alireza Khataee.

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Jalili, R., Khataee, A. Aluminum(III) triggered aggregation-induced emission of glutathione-capped copper nanoclusters as a fluorescent probe for creatinine. Microchim Acta 186, 29 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-3111-0

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