One-step green synthesis of fluorescent bimetallic Au/Ag nanoclusters for temperature sensing and in vitro detection of Fe3+

- Fluorescent Au/Ag NCs were prepared by a simple and green method.
- Lipoic acid acted as a reducing and stabilizing agent.
- Fluorescent Au/Ag NCs were explored as temperature and Fe3+ sensors.
- Au/Ag NCs displayed low cytotoxicity for intracellular Fe3+ imaging in HeLa cells.