Metal nanoclusters containing a few to several hundred atoms with sizes ranging from sub-nanometer to ∼2 nm occupy an intermediate size regime that bridges larger plasmonic nanoparticles and smaller metal complexes. With strong quantum confinement, metal nanoclusters exhibit molecule-like properties. This Account focuses on noble metal nanoclusters that are synthesized within a single stranded DNA template. Compared to other ligand protected metal nanoclusters, DNA-templated metal nanoclusters manifest intriguing physical and chemical properties that are heavily influenced by the design of DNA templates. For example, DNA-templated silver nanoclusters can show bright fluorescence, tunable emission colors, and enhanced stability by tuning the sequence of the encapsulating DNA template. DNA-templated gold nanoclusters can also serve as excellent cocatalysts, which are integratable with other biocatalysts such as enzymes.

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DNA模板化金属纳米簇：从新兴特性到独特应用

包含几至几百个原子的金属纳米团簇，其尺寸范围从亚纳米到约2 nm，占据了一个中等尺寸范围，可桥接更大的等离激元纳米颗粒和较小的金属络合物。通过强大的量子限制，金属纳米团簇表现出类似分子的特性。该帐户重点介绍在单链DNA模板中合成的贵金属纳米簇。与其他配体保护的金属纳米簇相比，以DNA为模板的金属纳米簇表现出令人着迷的物理和化学特性，这些特性在很大程度上受到DNA模板设计的影响。例如，通过调节封装的DNA模板的序列，以DNA为模板的银纳米簇可以显示明亮的荧光，可调的发射颜色和增强的稳定性。