A Versatile Strategy for Signal Amplification Based on Core/Shell Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

Fancy a copper? A sensing system for copper(I) ions, based on the interplay between a “classical” chemosensor and a fluorescent silica nanoparticle, is presented (see scheme). The occurrence of properly designed energy transfer processes and the observed increase of the affinity of the nanosystem towards Cu+ improve sensor performance at low metal ion concentrations in living cells. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.