Adenosine monophosphate-capped gold(i) nanoclusters: synthesis and lanthanide ion-induced enhancement of their luminescence

Reduction of Au³⁺ in the presence of just AMP and HEPES, combined with light exposure, gives rise to luminescent, water-soluble Au⁺ nanoclusters. Their photoluminescence is considerably enhanced by adding Y³⁺ or Yb³⁺, which leads to Au⁺/Y³⁺ and Au⁺/Yb³⁺ NCs, respectively.