Yang Jing, Xu Ruishu, Li Haiyan, Tao Hongwen, Zou Houen, Zeng Wenjun, Huang Haowen
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Functional Application of Fine Polymers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, China.
Small. 2025 May;21(20):e2502890. doi: 10.1002/smll.202502890. Epub 2025 Mar 26.
Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) exhibit unique physicochemical properties but their functional transitions under external stimuli remain underexplored. This study reveals that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation triggers structural evolution in AuNCs, causing fluorescence loss while activating dual enzyme-mimetic activities. UV-induced particle enlargement and surface restructuring endow AuNCs with peroxidase-like (POD-like) and laccase-like functionalities. The POD-like activity enables sensitive glucose detection in human serum, while the laccase-like capability facilitates simultaneous detection and degradation of phenolic pollutants in wastewater. These light-responsive transformations demonstrate AuNCs' dynamic adaptability, bridging their intrinsic fluorescence and catalytic properties. The findings elucidate photo-regulation mechanisms in nanomaterial functionality, proposing a novel strategy for designing multifunctional nanosystems applicable in biosensing and environmental remediation. This work advances the development of adaptive nanomaterials with programmable features for biomedical and ecological applications.
