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Synthesis of highly fluorescent and thio-linkers stabilize gold quantum dots and nano clusters in DMF for bio-labeling

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Abstract

This study demonstrates a one versus two-step synthesis of fluorescent gold quantum dots (F-AuQDs) and nano clusters (F-AuNCs) functionalized with thiolated organic linkers using reduction of gold precursor in N,N′-dimethylformamide in 1 h of reaction. The F-AuQDs and F-AuNCs show fluorescence emission at 425 ± 5 nm upon excitation at 345 ± 5 nm of wavelength, with good water solubility and stability. Five different thiolated organic binary linkers consisting of various functional groups including: carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and aromatic amine, were conjugated with the F-AuQDs and F-AuNCs. The formation mechanism and functionalization of the F-AuQDs and F-AuNCs was characterized using UV–vis absorption spectra, UV–vis light, fluorescent emission spectra, pH, TEM, and FTIR. The fluorescence emission of the F-AuQDs and F-AuNCs is greatly dependent on the thio-linker. This novel one-step approach provides facile and fast synthesis of F-AuQDs and F-AuNCs over the two-step method, with less than 5 h of reaction and workup compared to more than 28 h of reaction for the two-step approach. These thio-linker functionalized F-AuQDs and F-AuNCs have a wide application in fluorescent labeling of biomolecules, optical devices, imaging, energy transfer, and biosensing.

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Acknowledgments

This publication was made possible by NIH grant (P20RR016454) from the INBRE Program of the National Center of Research Resources as well as USDA grant (2009-34479-19833). The authors would like to thank Dr. Thomas J. Williams (Electron Microscopy Center, UI, Moscow) for the TEM imaging. Also they would like to thank Prof. Thomas E. Bitterwolf and Patrick J. Hrdlicka (Department of Chemistry, UI, Moscow) for use of their the fluorescent emission spectrometer. Finally a special thanks for Levi Inman, A. Dale Marcy, and the whole Department of Natural Sciences at North Idaho College for the use of the FT-IR spectrometer and as well as all the other aid given to complete the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, 326 Renfrew Hall, Moscow, ID, 83844-2343, USA

    Shiva K. Rastogi

  2. Biosensors and Nanotechnology Application Laboratory (BNAL), University of Idaho, Coeur D’Alene, 1031 N. Academic Way Ste. 240, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814-2277, USA

    Benjamin D. Denn & A. Larry Branen

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  1. Shiva K. Rastogi
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  2. Benjamin D. Denn
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  3. A. Larry Branen
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Correspondence to Shiva K. Rastogi.

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Rastogi, S.K., Denn, B.D. & Branen, A.L. Synthesis of highly fluorescent and thio-linkers stabilize gold quantum dots and nano clusters in DMF for bio-labeling. J Nanopart Res 14, 673 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0673-8

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