| PEI-AuNPs | polyethyleneimine-stabilized gold nanoparticles |
| LSPR | local surface plasmon resonance |
| SPR | surface plasmon resonance |
| DLS | dynamic light scattering |
| XRD | X-ray diffraction |
| PMB | polymyxin B |
| BSA | bovine serum albumin |
| LOD | limit of detection |
| FRET | fluorescence resonance energy transfer |
| PEIs | polyethyleneimines |
| TRPL | time-resolved photoluminescence. |