Synthesis of bovine serum albumin-protected high fluorescence Pt16-nanoclusters and their application to detect sulfide ions in solutions

Highly fluorescent (quantum yield, QY = 17%) Pt-16-nanoclusters (Pt-16-NCs@BSA) have been prepared via a one-step ultrasonic-assistance method by using cheap and easily available ascorbic acid as reductant and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a stabilizing agent in aqueous solution. The fluorescence properties of the Pt-NCs@BSA can be easily controlled by optimizing conditions, and the products are extremely stable and could be used for the detection of sulfide ions (S2-) in solutions as a specific luminescence sensor. The present synthesis method is performed in one step, being cost-effective with a particularly short reaction time, which could be extended to the synthesis of other kinds of protein-protected Pt-NCs.