Han Ying, Zhang Ping, Duan Xiaoyi, Gao Xueyun, Gao Liang
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China.
Nanoscale. 2025 Feb 13;17(7):3616-3634. doi: 10.1039/d4nr04714a.
Metal nanoclusters (NCs), comprising tens to hundreds of metal atoms, are condensed matter with concrete molecular structures and discrete energy levels. Compared to metal atoms and nanoparticles, metal NCs exhibit unique physicochemical properties, especially fascinating electrocatalytic activities. This review focuses on recent progress in the precise synthesis of metal NCs and their applications in electrochemical analysis of various disease biomarkers. First, we provide a brief overview of current nanotechnology-enabled electrochemical biosensors. Subsequently, we highlight the precise synthesis of metal NCs protected by various ligands such as peptides, proteins and nucleic acids. Next, we summarize the design and construction of electrochemical biosensors that utilize metal NCs as electrode materials to detect electrochemically active and inactive disease-associated biomarkers, including small biomolecules (glucose, reactive oxygen species, cholesterol, neurotransmitters and amino acids) and biomacromolecules (proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids). Due to unique electrocatalytic properties, high specific surface areas, and atomically modulated structures, metal NCs promote electron exchange or act as a redox medium in these electrochemical sensing platforms. Finally, we conclude with present challenges and propose future research directions, with the aim to enhance the specificity, sensitivity, and durability of customized metal NC-based electrochemical biosensors for precise disease diagnostics.
金属纳米团簇（NCs）由数十到数百个金属原子组成，是具有具体分子结构和离散能级的凝聚态物质。与金属原子和纳米颗粒相比，金属纳米团簇具有独特的物理化学性质，尤其是迷人的电催化活性。本文综述了金属纳米团簇精确合成的最新进展及其在各种疾病生物标志物电化学分析中的应用。首先，我们简要概述了当前基于纳米技术的电化学生物传感器。随后，我们重点介绍了由各种配体（如肽、蛋白质和核酸）保护的金属纳米团簇的精确合成。接下来，我们总结了利用金属纳米团簇作为电极材料来检测电化学活性和非活性疾病相关生物标志物的电化学生物传感器的设计与构建，这些生物标志物包括小分子（葡萄糖、活性氧、胆固醇、神经递质和氨基酸）和生物大分子（蛋白质、酶和核酸）。由于具有独特的电催化性质、高比表面积和原子调制结构，金属纳米团簇在这些电化学传感平台中促进电子交换或充当氧化还原介质。最后，我们总结了当前面临的挑战并提出未来的研究方向，旨在提高定制的基于金属纳米团簇的电化学生物传感器的特异性、灵敏度和耐用性，以实现精确的疾病诊断。
