A novel fluorometric and colorimetric sensor for iodide determination using DNA-templated gold/silver nanoclusters

Determination of iodide ions has attracted considerable interest due to the importance and urgency. In the current work, we have developed a novel fluorescent and colorimetric platform for simple and selective detection of iodide ions based on the DNA-templated gold/silver nanoclusters (DNA-Au/Ag NCs). The detection system is based on the unique interaction between iodide ions and DNA-Au/Ag NCs, which shows an obvious fluorescence quenching with the addition of iodide ions and a good linear range from 0 to 10 μmol/L for iodide ions. In the mean time, the detection system also exhibits an obvious color change from colorless transparent to purple red with the addition of iodide ions. Furthermore, the proposed system has been successfully applied for determination of iodide ions in real water samples.