Aggregation-induced accelerating peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoclusters and their applications for colorimetric Pb²⁺ detection

Abstract

In this study, we found that Pb²⁺-induced aggregation can greatly accelerate the peroxidase-like activity of Au nanoclusters (Au-NCs). The catalytic activities of Au-NCs toward peroxidase substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation in the presence of H₂O₂ are nearly 10-fold increased after the Pb²⁺-induced aggregation. Based on this finding, a simple and reliable colorimetric method for Pb²⁺ detection was developed.