Molecular sensors silver clusters

Abstract Silver clusters, composed of only a few silver atoms, have remarkable optical properties based on electronic transitions between quantized energy levels. They have large absorption coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields, in common with conventional fluorescent markers. But importantly, silver clusters have an attractive set of features, including subnanometer size, nontoxicity and photostability, which makes them competitive as fluorescent markers compared with organic dye molecules and semiconductor quantum dots. In this chapter, we review the synthesis and properties of fluorescent silver clusters, and their application as bio-labels and molecular sensors. Silver clusters may have a bright future as luminescent probes for labeling and sensing applications. 

Silver Clusters as Fluorescent Probes for Molecular Sensors. 325... 

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