Abstract
In this study, peptides and composite nanomaterials based on copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) were used to detect chymotrypsin. The peptide was a chymotrypsin-specific cleavage peptide. The amino end of the peptide was covalently bound to CuNCs. The sulfhydryl group at the other end of the peptide can covalently combine with the composite nanomaterials. The fluorescence was quenched by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The specific site of the peptide was cleaved by chymotrypsin. Therefore, the CuNCs were far away from the surface of the composite nanomaterials, and the intensity of fluorescence was restored. The limit of detection (LOD) using Porous Coordination Network (PCN)@graphene oxide (GO) @ gold nanoparticle (AuNP) sensor was lower than that of using PCN@AuNPs. The LOD based on PCN@GO@AuNPs was reduced from 9.57 pg mL-1 to 3.91 pg mL-1. This method was also used in a real sample. Therefore, it is a promising method in the biomedical field.