Tuning the properties of atomic-precise gold nanoclusters for biolabeling and drug delivery

A structure-determined gold-levonorgestrel nanocluster Au10(C21H27O2)10 (Au10NC) has been obtained via solvent induced crystal transformation from Au8(C21H27O2)8 (Au8NC), accompanied by fluorescence color changed from green to yellow. Cationic polymer poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) was chosen to assemble with Au10NC to prepare monodisperse and stable particles (Au10NC-PAH), with a quantum yield increased to be 49.8%. The as-fabricated Au10NC-PAH has realized effective antibody-mediated actin imaging and drug sustained release.