Self-assembled nanogels of luminescent thiolated silver nanoclusters and chitosan as bactericidal agent and bacterial sensor

Multifunctional theranostic agents with the features of good biocompatibility, long-term antibacterial efficacy, and rapid bacterial detection are the desired future medicine for infectious diseases, but which poses huge challenges on the design of such multifunctional nanocomposites in a single entity. Herein, self-assembled nanogels of thiolated silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) and chitosan was designed and synthesized, which combines the desirable biocompatible, targeting specific, luminescent properties. This nanogel displays an amplified luminescence via strong matrix-ligand coordination between thiolate ligands and chitosan matrix to rigidify the molecular structure on the surface of Ag NCs. Concomitantly, this nanogel exhibits exceptional bactericidal activity, with approximately >10-fold stronger activity compared to its counterpart Ag NCs. Furthermore, a bacterial detection system was developed based on the bacterial binding on the fluorescent nanogels. This work provides a new strategy in designing multifunctional theranostic agents and this new composite Ag NC nanogel holds great promise for practical applications as the theranostic nanomedicines. • A nanogel of Ag clusters and chitosan was formed by electrostatic self-assembly. • This nanogel can be employed as a multifunctional theranostic agent. • This nanogel shows amplified luminescence via the matrix-ligand coordination. • This nanogel exhibits excellent antibacterial performance and biocompatibility. • This nanogel is applied as a fluorescent probe for bacterial detection.