Highly Selective Electrochemiluminescence Chemosensor for Sulfide Enabled by Hierarchical Reactivity

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a well-known toxic gas with the odor of rotten eggs. Several reaction-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) chemosensors for H2S have been developed; however, no homogeneous ECL probe with high selectivity toward H2Sinaqueous media has been reported. Herein, we report an iridium(III) complex-based ECLchemodosimetric probe employing two 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) groups known as a photo-induced electron transfer quencher and a reaction site for the selective detection of H2S; the detection mechanism involves H2S being clearly distinguished frombiothiols based on the different cleavage rates of the two NBD groups and extremely weakECL interferences caused by reaction by-products. The probe was rationally designed toimprove selectivity toward H2S within the ECL analysis platform by enabling the removal of nonspecific background signals observedvia fluorescence analysis. This analytical system exhibited remarkable selectivity toward H2S, a rapid reaction rate, and high sensitivity (LOD= 57 nM) compared to conventional fluorescence methods. Furthermore, the probe could successfully quantify H2S in tap water samples and commercial ammonium sulfide solutions ,which demonstrates the effectiveness of this probe infield monitoring.