Lysozyme-stabilized gold fluorescent cluster: Synthesis and application as Hg2+ sensor

Highly fluorescent gold clusters have been synthesized in basic aqueous solution by using lysozyme as reducing and stabilizing agents. The lysozyme-stabilized gold fluorescent clusters (LsGFC) have an average size of 1 nm and emission ∼ 657 nm. The fluorescence could be specifically quenched by Hg2+, so the LsGFC can be used as a sensor for sensitive and selective Hg2+ detection with a detection limit of 10 nM.