A multi-responsive intrinsically disordered protein (IDP)-directed green synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoclusters

Herein we demonstrate the green synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) using a multiresponsive intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) polymer, Rec1-resilin, as a multi-functional template. In a controlled environment, Rec1-resilin acts simultaneously as the directing agent and the reducer, and performs the role of a highly efficient stabilizer once AuNCs are formed. The evolution of the photophysical properties and the chemical states of AuNCs formed are measured using UV-Vis, fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy measures the intrinsically disordered nature of Rec1-resilin stabilizing AuNCs. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) reveals the detailed structure and morphology of the generated AuNCs of