Selectively assaying CEA based on a creative strategy of gold nanoparticles enhancing silver nanoclusters' fluorescence

Herein, we have successfully built up connections between nanoparticles and nanoclusters, and further constructed a surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) strategy based on the two types of nanomaterials for selectively assaying carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Specifically, silver nanoclusters provided the original fluorescence signal, while gold nanoparticles modified with DNA served as the fluorescence enhancer simultaneously. On the basis of this proposed nano-system, the two nanomaterials were linked by CEA-aptamer, thus facilitating SEF occurring. Nevertheless, more competitive interactions between CEA and CEA-aptamer emerged once CEA added, leading to SEF failed and their fluorescence decreased. Significantly, this creative method was further applied to detect CEA, and showed the linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and CEA concentrations in the range of 0.01-1 ng mL−1 with a detection limit of 3 pg mL−1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, demonstrating its sensitivity and promising towards multiple applications. On the whole, this approach we established may broaden potential ways of combining nanoparticles and nanoclusters for detecting trace targets in bioanalytical fields.