Spatially confined dual-emission nanoprobes assembled from silicon nanoparticles and gold nanoclusters for ratiometric biosensing

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) possess weak intrinsic fluorescence, limiting their sensitivity in biosensing applications. This study addresses these limitations by developing a spatially confined dual-emission nanoprobe composed of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) and AuNCs. This amplified and stabilized fluorescence mechanism overcomes the limitations associated with using AuNCs alone, achieving superior sensitivity in the sensing platform. The nanoprobe was successfully employed for ratiometric detection of bleomycin (BLM) in serum samples, operating at an excitation wavelength of 365 nm, with emission wavelengths at 480 nm and 580 nm. The analytical performance of the system is distinguished by a linear detection range of 0–3.5 μM, an impressive limit of detection (LOD) of 35.27 nM, and exceptional recoveries ranging from 96.80 to 105.9%. This innovative approach significantly enhances the applicability and reliability of AuNC-based biosensing in complex biological media, highlighting its superior analytical capabilities.