Al3+-mediated aggregation-induced enhancement of photosensitization performance of gold nanoclusters

Photocatalytic oxidation driven by photosensitizers has demonstrated significant potential in the realm of green chemistry. In recent years, metal nanoclusters with well-defined atomic structures have garnered attention as promising photosensitizers owing to their distinctive photoelectronic properties. Nevertheless, enhancing the efficiency of photosensitization remains a critical challenge that impedes its practical implementation. This study reveals that the addition of Al3+ can concurrently augment both the luminescence and photosensitization abilities of glutathione-protected gold nanoclusters. Time-resolved spectroscopic investigations indicate that Al3+ induces intermolecular aggregation of gold nanoclusters, thereby promoting the radiative transition of the excited triplet state and enhancing the energy transfer efficiency to molecular oxygen. The strategy presented herein offers a convenient approach for developing high-performance metal nanocluster-based photosensitization systems.