Asequential dual-locked luminescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) probe was designed and synthesizedfor the specific imaging and selective killing of tumor cells. This nanoprobe was prepared by first forming a Fe(3+)-coupled tannic acid (TA)-stabilized CuNCs (CuNCs-Fe(III)), which is in quenching state due to the electron transfer between CuNCs and Fe(3+), and then coating a protectable layer of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the surface of CuNCs-Fe(III) to form the final dual-locked nanoprobe (CuNCs-Fe(III)@HA). When the nanoprobe of CuNCs-Fe(III)@HA t...
