A novel ratiometric fluorescent probe for the detection of bilirubin based on the copper nanoclusters-metal organic frameworks hybrids

Abstract

Bilirubin is a key biomarker in the diagnosis of jaundice. Herein, we proposed a simple and convenient quantitative method for the fluorescent detection of bilirubin. We developed a copper nanoclusters coated by zinc-based metal-organic frameworks (Cu NCs@MOF). The prepared Cu NCs@MOF exhibited bright blue fluorescence excited with ultra-violet light and well stability at various environments. More importantly, Cu NCs@MOF was used for bilirubin detection based on the emerging red fluorescence emission peak induced by bilirubin. Furthermore, Cu NCs@MOF were made into test strip for the visual detection of bilirubin by the fluorescence color variation.

Keywords:

• Fluorescence
• visual
• bilirubin
• Cu nanoclusters
• metal-organic frameworks

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Training Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Undergraduates (220242) and the General Project of Natural Science Funds of Liaoning Province (2020-MS-082). The authors thank Yu Dong from the Analytical and Testing Center of Northeastern University for TEM data acquisition.