Photoelectron-transfer-effect grafting: Validation of a generalized strategy for fluorescence and photoelectrochemical dual-mode detection of hydrogen sulfide

Xiao-Jie Yu; Xiao-Yan Wan; Yu-Ting Shen; Deng-Bao Zhang; Xian-Jing Zhou; De-Man Han; Feng-Zao Chen

doi:10.1016/j.aca.2024.343232

Photoelectron-transfer-effect grafting: Validation of a generalized strategy for fluorescence and photoelectrochemical dual-mode detection of hydrogen sulfide

Anal Chim Acta. 2024 Nov 15:1329:343232. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.343232. Epub 2024 Sep 13.

Authors

Xiao-Jie Yu¹, Xiao-Yan Wan², Yu-Ting Shen², Deng-Bao Zhang², Xian-Jing Zhou³, De-Man Han⁴, Feng-Zao Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China; Department of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China.
² Department of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China.
³ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China. Electronic address: hdm@tzc.edu.cn.
⁵ Department of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China. Electronic address: chenfengzao@tzc.edu.cn.

PMID: 39396295
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.343232

Abstract

Background: The progress of modern research is constantly fueled by the convergence of multiple technologies. Despite the enormous potential of both fluorescence (FL) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) technologies, the development of synergistic PEC-FL sensing platforms that combine the advantages of both is still in its early stages due to their relatively recent inception. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), possessing dual irritant and asphyxiating traits, poses challenges for environmental preservation and human health. The development of the PEC-FL detection methodology for H₂S in complex environmental settings is imperative.

Results: Combining FL and PEC sensing techniques, this work presented a new concept of photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) effect grafting for dual-mode fluorescence and PEC analysis. Briefly, a well-designed fluorescent molecule (BTFM-DNP) featuring the PET effect was synthesized and implemented to modulate the photoelectric response of the indium tin oxide (ITO)/BiOI photocathode electrode. After reacting with H₂S, the thiolysis of dinitrophenyl ether eliminated the intramolecular PET effect and recovered the significant fluorescence of the probe. Remarkably, the newly formed 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiol (DBT) with strong electron-withdrawing groups was then grafted to the ITO/BiOI photoelectrode and achieved the successful transfer of the PET process, resulting in a sharp decrease in photocurrent. The as-developed dual-mode protocol exhibited good performance in terms of ultra-sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response, and a wide detection range from 1 pM to 80 μM.

Significance: The newly developed PEC-FL sensing platform can be applied to detect H₂S levels in both the environment and food. This study demonstrates a promising synergy between fluorescent probes and PEC sensors, offering a novel perspective on the advancement of multi-mode analysis techniques. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance detection accuracy and reliability.

Keywords: Dual-mode detection; Fluorescence; Hydrogen sulfide; Photoelectrochemical sensing; Photoelectron-transfer-effect.