A pH-responsive ZIF-8-encapsulation Au nanocluster fluorescent probe applying for convenient and efficient detection of glucose

Glucose plays a crucial role in maintaining human health as an indispensable source of energy in living organisms. Accurate monitoring of glucose levels in living organisms and detecting it in food is essential. In this study, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with unique aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effects were encapsulated within zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8) to fabricate a pH-responsive AuNCs@ZIF-8 fluorescent nanocomposite. The fluorescence intensity had significant sevenfold enhancement compared to AuNCs alone due to the structural domain-limiting effects exerted by ZIF-8, which effectively inhibited the rotations and vibrations of the AuNCs ligands. Based on the increased acidity generated by glucose catalytic oxidation via glucose oxidase (GOx), the subsequent degradation of ZIF-8 structure and the consequent reduction of AuNCs with AIE effects were achieved, and a rapid and efficient fluorescence quantification for glucose was performed. The constructed AuNCs@ZIF-8-based fluorescent probe demonstrated a favorable linear response to glucose, achieving a detection limit of 0.096 mmol/L and providing a rapid and efficient approach suitable for assessing glucose levels in both blood and beverage samples.