Ultrasmall Glutathione-Protected Au/Cu and Their Alloy Nanoclusters with Specific ROS Generation

Abstract

In this study, three glutathione (GSH)-protected nanoclusters ([Au5(SG)3]-, [Au9Cu2(SG)7]3- and [Cu7(SG)5]3+) were synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, EPR, NMR and XPS. Each cluster exhibits a specificity in generating a distinct reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically hydroxyl radicals (•OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), or superoxide anions (O2•-), under ambient conditions. This unique performance not only highlights the clusters’ structural and functional specificity in ROS generation, but also highlights their promising potential for advancing bioclinical applications.