In-situ synthesis of fluorescent Ag clusters using β-cyclodextrins cavity as templates

Water soluble fluorescent Ag clusters trapped in the cavity of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was synthesized by a facile one-pot procedure at room temperature. It’s demonstrated that the glutathione bound to Ag cores penetrates through the cavity of β-CDs, which acted as the templates and restricted the size of clusters. Fluorescence enhancement was observed in Ag clusters when Al3+ was added. The fluorescence enhancement mechanism was studied. Comparing to interaction between shell ligands and Al3+, it’s likely the interaction between Ag cores and Al3+ plays dominant role in this process.