A novel fluorescence sensor based on Al-mediated aggregation of gold nanoclusters for determination of citric acid in beverages.

This paper revealed a new strategy for citric acid (CA) detection using aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). AuNCs was synthesized using glutathione (GSH) as the template and reducing agent and used as the fluorescent probe to detect CA under aluminum ion (Al) mediation. The fluorescence intensity of AuNCs increased about 4 times with the addition of Al, but the enhanced fluorescence was quenched after the addition of CA.