The main goal of this project is to implement a sensitive and selective direct detection method, based on the “turn-off” of intrinsic photoluminescence (PL) of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), into a portable spectroscopic device suitable for on-site identification of metallic contaminants from real water samples.

The main objectives that we want to fulfil throughout our project are:

(1) Obtain stable colloidal dispersions of aminoacid-stabilized AuNCs with improved PL properties and high affinity for Fe 3+ and Cu 2+;

(2) Assess the sensibility and specificity of the two classes of AuNCs sensors for the detection of Fe and Cu 2+ in solution via PL quenching and colorimetric observation;

(3) Perform sensitive and selective detection of selected metallic contaminants (Fe and Cu) from real water samples via fluorescence “turn-off” mechanism of intrinsic PL of AuNCs.