Reduction of Ammineruthenium(III) by Sulfide Enables In Vivo Electrochemical Monitoring of Free Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide

Confining Thiolysis of Dinitrophenyl Ether to a Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework with a Large Stokes Shift for Highly Efficient Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide in Rat Brain

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous signaling molecule that regulates various physiological and pathological processes in the central nervous system. It is vital to develop an effective method to detect H2S in vivo to elucidate its critical role. However, current fluorescent probes for accurate quantification of H2S still face big challenges due to complicated fabrication, small Stokes shift, unsatisfactory selectivity, and especially delayed response time. Herein, based on simple postsynthetic modification, we present an innovative strategy by confining H2S-triggered thiolysis of dinitrophenyl (DNP) ether within a luminescent metal-organic framework (MOF) to address those issues. Due to the cleavage of the DNP moiety by H2S, the nanoprobe gives rise to a remarkable fluorescence turn-on signal with a large Stokes shift of 190 nm and also provides high selectivity to H2S against various interferents including competing biothiols. In particular, by virtue of the unique structural property of the MOF, it exhibits an ultrafast sensing ability for H2S (only 5 s). Moreover, the fluorescence enhancement efficiency displays a good linear correlation with H2S concentration in the range of 0-160 μM with a detection limit of 0.29 μM. Importantly, these superior sensing performances enable the nanoprobe to measure the basal value and monitor the change of H2S level in the rat brain.

One-Step Synthesis of Chitosan Hydrogel as Electrochemical Chemosensor for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Syndrome Serum Sample

Oxidative stress caused by pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome significantly affects the health of pregnant women. Hydrogen sulfide is a typical gaseous signal molecule against oxidative stress, and it is of profound significance to develop a detection method. In this study, a stimuli-responsive hydrogel was constructed based on the coordination and bonding principle of metal ions and chitosan (CS) to realize the quantitative detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The chain of CS contains a large number of amino groups and hydroxyl groups, which can form the coordination structure with Cu2+, triggering CS to form a stable hydrogel. The hydrogel can be formed within about 5 s, which has the characteristics of rapid preparation. In the presence of target H2S, the cross-linking agent Cu2+ in the hydrogel can compete out, resulting in the collapse of the hydrogel and the release of the electrochemical probe. By detecting the concentration of the released electrochemical probe, the quantitative detection of H2S can be achieved. The prepared hydrogel has a good linear relationship with the concentration of H2S from 1 μM to 60 μm. At the same time, the hydrogel has good specificity and stability, and it can be applied to the detection of H2S in serum samples.

Electrochemical Detection of Gasotransmitters: Status and Roadmap

Gasotransmitters, including nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), are a class of gaseous, endogenous signaling molecules that interact with one another in the regulation of critical cardiovascular, immune, and neurological processes. The development of analytical sensing mechanisms for gasotransmitters, especially multianalyte mechanisms, holds vast importance and constitutes a growing area of study. This review provides an overview of electrochemical sensing mechanisms with an emphasis on opportunities in multianalyte sensing. Electrochemical methods demonstrate good sensitivity, adequate selectivity, and the most well-developed potential for the multianalyte detection of gasotransmitters. Future research will likely address challenges with sensor stability and biocompatibility (i.e., sensor lifetime and cytotoxicity), sensor miniaturization, and multianalyte detection in biological settings.

Charge Density-Regulated Microchannel-Based Electrochemiluminescence Sensor for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection with a Highly Efficient Accumulation Strategy

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity can be regulated by ionic current passing through the microchannel, which broadened the regulation of the ECL sensors. But in the early reported sensors, the electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance caused few targets to approach the interface of the microchannel driven by concentration difference, which reduced the detection efficiency and prolonged the detection period. In this study, different accumulation strategies, such as a positive electric field and different polarity electric fields, were designed to accumulate targets in the microchannel. The interaction of azide groups and hydrogen sulfide served as a research model. Hydrogen sulfide can react with the negatively charged azide groups in the microchannel surface to produce positively charged amino groups, decreasing the negative charge density of the microchannel and thus altering the ionic current and ECL intensity. The accumulation of hydrogen sulfide at the microchannel tip can increase the collision probability with azide groups to improve the detection efficiency, and the integration of accumulation and reaction can shorten the detection period to 28 min. The hydrogen sulfide concentration on the microchannel tip accumulated by applying different polarity electric fields was 22.3-fold higher than that accumulated by applying a positive electric field. The selected research model broadened the application range of a microchannel-based ECL sensor and confirmed the universality of the microchannel-based ECL sensor.

Electrochemical sensor for hydrogen sulfide detection using electrocatalysis-assisted amplification and chemical reaction-mediated signal enhancement

An ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensing platform has been designed by combining electrocatalysis-assisted H2S amplification with a chemical reaction-mediated electrochemical signal-boosted system for H2S detection based on Cu-Mn(OH)2 hexagonal nanorings. The signal amplification is initiated by an electrocatalysis reaction that can grasp specific H2S substrates and further highly amplify electrochemical signals. Then, the unique chemical reaction is powered by copper ion and generates a large amount of electroactive CuxS products on the electrode surface, thus achieving the multiple amplification of H2S detection. Finally, the Cu-Mn(OH)2 loaded with plenty of electroactive CuxS can be captured on the electrode for further improving the electrochemical signal thus obtaining ultra-high sensitive determination of H2S. The established electrochemical biosensing platform displays a wide analytical range of 0.1 μM to 265 μM with a low detection limit of 0.096 μM. The satisfactory selectivity allows the electrochemical sensor to distinguish H2S from other interfering substances without any complicated pretreatment, even in complex tumor cell samples. Thus, our designed electrocatalysis-assisted amplification strategy offers a powerful analysis toolkit for the early determination of H2S-related disease in clinical diagnosis.

Paper-assisted ratiometric fluorescent sensors for on-site sensing of sulfide based on the target-induced inner filter effect

Dissolved sulfide tends to species transformation and loss upon leaving the matrix, thus the development of a practical on-site determination of sulfide is crucial for environmental monitoring and human health. In this work, a novel paper-based ratiometric fluorescence sensor was developed for the field analysis of sulfide, which system was constructed by the inner filter effect (IFE) of CdS quantum dots (QDs) toward carbon dots (C-dots). Instead of an aqueous phase system, the conversion of sulfide to its hydride would induce the in-situ formation of CdS QDs on the paper, which acted as an energy acceptor to quench the emission of C-dots, leading to a variation of ratiometric fluorescence from blue to yellow with the increasing concentration of sulfide. Moreover, we proposed a smartphone-based fluorescence capture device integrated with a programmed Python program, accomplishing both color recognition and accurate detection of sulfide. Under the optimal condition, this ratiometric fluorescence sensor allowed for the on-site analysis of sulfide with a limit of detection of 0.05 μM. The accuracy of the sensor was validated via the successful field analysis of environmental water samples with satisfactory recoveries. Compared to other fluorescence methods used for sulfide analysis, this developed system retains the advantages of label-free, low-cost, ease of operation, and miniaturization, showing great potential for the measurement of sulfide on-site, as well as environmental monitoring.

Nozzle Electrode Point Discharge-Enhanced Oxidation and Portable Gas Phase Molecular Fluorescence Spectrometry for Sensitive Field Detection of Sulfide

It is still a challenge to accurately determine dissolved sulfide due to its susceptibility to contamination and loss during transportation, storage, and analysis in the laboratory, thus highlighting the necessity for its sensitive field analysis. Herein, a robust nozzle electrode point discharge (NEPD) enhanced oxidation coupling with chemical vapor generation (CVG) is described for the highly efficient and flameless conversion of sulfide (S^2-) to SO₂. Subsequently, a portable and low-power consumption gas phase molecular fluorescence spectrometry (GP-MFS) was constructed for the highly selective and sensitive determination of the generated SO₂ via detecting its molecular fluorescence excited by a zinc hollow cathode lamp. Under optimal conditions, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 μM was obtained for dissolved sulfide with a relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 11) of 2.6%. The accuracy and practicability of the proposed method were validated by the analyses of two certified reference materials (CRMs) and several river and lake water samples with satisfactory recoveries of 99%-107%. This work confirms that NEPD enhanced oxidation is a low energy consumption yet highly efficient method for the flameless oxidation of hydrogen sulfide and thus is suitable for the easy field detection of dissolved sulfide in environmental water by CVG-GP-MFS.

Review of Chemical Sensors for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection in Organisms and Living Cells

As the third gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes wherein abnormal levels of H₂S indicate various diseases. Therefore, an efficient and reliable monitoring of H₂S concentration in organisms and living cells is of great significance. Of diverse detection technologies, electrochemical sensors possess the unique advantages of miniaturization, fast detection, and high sensitivity, while the fluorescent and colorimetric ones exhibit exclusive visualization. All these chemical sensors are expected to be leveraged for H₂S detection in organisms and living cells, thus offering promising options for wearable devices. In this paper, the chemical sensors used to detect H₂S in the last 10 years are reviewed based on the different properties (metal affinity, reducibility, and nucleophilicity) of H₂S, simultaneously summarizing the detection materials, methods, linear range, detection limits, selectivity, etc. Meanwhile, the existing problems of such sensors and possible solutions are put forward. This review indicates that these types of chemical sensors competently serve as specific, accurate, highly selective, and sensitive sensor platforms for H₂S detection in organisms and living cells.

An anti-poisoning nanosensor for in situ monitoring of intracellular endogenous hydrogen sulfide

Intracellular H₂S plays an important regulatory role in cell metabolism. The limited sensing materials and severe sensor passivation hinder its quantification. We functionalized conductive nanowires with MoS₂ and quercetin in a large-scale manner, developed single nanowire sensors with excellent electrocatalytic and anti-poisoning performance, and achieved the accurate quantification of H₂S within single cells.

Novel 2-Benzo[d]thiazolyl-4-quinolinylphenol Skeleton-Based Turn-on Fluorescent Probe for H2S Detection and its Multiple Applications in Water Environment, Foodstuffs, and Living Organisms

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has comprehensive contributions to maintaining the normal operation and stability of organisms, and it also occurs in the wastewater environment and is related to the deterioration of foodstuffs. Therefore, developing high-sensitive detection techniques for tracing H₂S is promising and meaningful. Inspired by this, a novel nopinone-based fluorescent probe NPS for the recognition of H₂S was designed and synthesized with excellent sensitivity, low limit of detection (79 nM), good selectivity, and wide pH range (5-9). NPS could emit strong yellow fluorescence and its emission intensity showed a remarkable augmentation at 520 nm upon the supplement of H₂S. Furthermore, the recognition mechanism of NPS for H₂S was verified by the HRMS analysis, ¹H NMR spectra titration, and DFT computation. What is more, NPS also had broad applications in the monitoring of real water samples, red wine, beer, and eggs samples, which showed its development prospect and value in environmental pollution, foodstuffs quality analysis fields. NPS also was applied to monitor trace exogenous H₂S and bioimaging in living cells and zebrafish.

A Water-Soluble Hydrogen Sulfide Donor Suppresses the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Inhibiting the AKT/GSK-3β/β-Catenin and TGF-β/Smad2/3 Signaling Pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with high morbidity, high mortality, and low cure rate. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely adopted in tissue engineering and drug delivery. 5-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1, 2-dithiol-3-thione (ADT-OH) is one of commonly used H₂S donors. In our previous study, HA-ADT was designed and synthesized via coupling of HA and ADT-OH. In this study, compared with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a fast H₂S-releasing donor) and morpholin-4-ium (4-methoxyphenyl)-morpholin-4-ylsulfanylidenesulfido-λ5-phosphane (GYY4137, a slow H₂S-releasing donor), HA-ADT showed stronger inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of human HCC cells. HA-ADT promoted apoptosis by suppressing the expressions of phospho (p)-protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), p-β-catenin, and also inhibited autophagy via the downregulation of the protein levels of p-Smad2, p-Smad3, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in human HCC cells. Moreover, HA-ADT inhibited HCC xenograft tumor growth more effectively than both NaHS and GYY4137. Therefore, HA-ADT can suppress the growth of HCC cells by blocking the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin and TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathways. HA-ADT and its derivatives may be developed as promising antitumor drugs.

Facile Synthesis of Fe-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles from Waste Coal Ash: Fabrication of a Portable Sensor for the Sensitive and Selective Colorimetric Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide

In this work, a new strategy has been reported for the portable detection of H₂S based on Fe-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Fe-HA) using a colorimetric paper test strip integrated with a smartphone platform. Fe-HA NPs were fabricated successfully via recycling waste coal ash. The obtained probe response toward H₂S was through a distinct visual color change. The sensing mechanism is based on the displacement reaction, in which PO₄ ^3- is replaced by S^2-. The prepared test strip shows high selectivity, and the other compounds containing thiol and sulfur anion have a negligible effect on the detection of H₂S. The designed scheme is applied for H₂S detection in the concentration range of 0.5-130 ppm with a limit of detection of 70 ppb. Furthermore, such a disposable sensor was used as a practical system for monitoring H₂S in actual water samples, suggesting the promising potential of this platform for suitable analysis of H₂S in an aqueous environment.

An indirect detection strategy-assisted self-cleaning electrochemical platform for in-situ and pretreatment-free detection of endogenous H2S from sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB)

The endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) can be adopted as an indicator for the indirect detection of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which considered to be closely related to pipeline corrosion and human intestinal health. Unfortunately, the in-situ detection of endogenous H₂S from SRB in the complex culture medium still faces huge challenges. Besides nonspecific adsorption from the culture medium of SRB, the problem of electrode passivation by produced elemental sulfur during electrochemical detection processes of H₂S cannot be ignored. To address these challenges, herein a synergistic sensing platform based on self-cleaning electrode interface and indirect detection strategy (specific H₂S-induced chemical reaction) is developed. This indirect sensing strategy-assisted self-cleaning electrochemical platform showed a relatively good linear response toward H₂S in the range of 0.5 - 5 μM, and the corresponding limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 5.09 nM. More importantly, the satisfactory self-cleaning electrode interface in indirect detection system (with only a 4.10% decrease in signal over 50 electrochemical repeated cycles) showed the electrode surface not being disturbed by elemental sulfur. Furthermore, this good selectivity of the indirect detection strategy in combination with the reproducibility, stability, and antifouling activity of the self-cleaning interface, enabled a synergistic sensing platform to detect H₂S directly in the complex culture medium of SRB without time-consuming sample pretreatments. Moreover, this proposed construction strategy of synergetic sensing platform could be explored to other endogenous molecules in complex environment based on different antifouling materials and specific reactions.

Highly Stable and Selective Sensing of Hydrogen Sulfide in Living Mouse Brain with NiN4 Single-Atom Catalyst-Based Galvanic Redox Potentiometry

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is recognized as a gasotransmitter and multifunctional signaling molecule in the central nervous system. Despite its essential neurofunctions, the chemical dynamics of H₂S during physiological and pathological processes remains poorly understood, emphasizing the significance of H₂S sensor development. However, the broadly utilized electrochemical H₂S sensors suffer from low stability and sensitivity loss in vivo due to sulfur poisoning-caused electrode passivation. Herein, we report a high-performance H₂S sensor that combines single-atom catalyst strategy and galvanic redox potentiometry to overcome the issue. Atomically dispersed NiN₄ active sites on the sensing interface promote electrochemical H₂S oxidation at an extremely low potential to drive spontaneous bipolarization of a single carbon fiber. Bias-free potentiometric sensing at open-circuit condition minimizes sulfur accumulation on the electrode surface, thus significantly enhancing the stability and sensitivity. The resulting sensor displays high selectivity to H₂S against physiological interferents and enables real-time accurate quantification of H₂S-releasing behavior in the living mouse brain.

Signal-On and Highly Sensitive Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for Hydrogen Sulfide in Joint Fluid Based on Silver-Ion-Mediated Base Pairs and Hybridization Chain Reaction

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in joint fluid acts as a signal molecule to regulate joint inflammation. Direct detection of H2S in joint fluid is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. However, due to the low volume of joint fluid and low H2S concentration, existing methods face the problem of the insufficient limit of detection. In this study, a highly sensitive biosensor was proposed by designing a primer probe and combining it with hybrid chain reaction (HCR) under the strong interaction between metal ions and H2S to achieve H2S detection. The primer probe containing multiple cytosine (C) sequences was fixed on a gold electrode, and the C–Ag–C hairpin structure was formed under the action of Ag+. In the presence of H2S, it can combine with Ag+ in the hairpin structure to form Ag2S, which leads to the opening of the hairpin structure and triggers the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) with another two hairpin structures (H1 and H2). A large number of double-stranded nucleic acid structures can be obtained on the electrode surface. Finally, Ru(phen)32+ can be embedded into the double chain structure to generate the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal. The linear response of the H2S biosensor ranged from 0.1000 to 1500 nM, and the limit of detection concentration of H2S was 0.0398 nM. The developed biosensor was successfully used to determine H2S in joint fluid.

Tuning the Redox Chemistry of Copper Oxide Nanoarchitectures Integrated with rGOP via Facet Engineering: Sensing H2S toward SRB Detection

The ultrasensitive determination of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is of great significance for their crucial roles in environmental and industrial harms together with the early detection of microbial corrosion. In this work, we report the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts, i.e., Cu₂O-CuO extended hexapods (EHPs), which are wrapped on homemade freestanding graphene paper to construct a flexible paper electrode in the electrochemical sensing of the biomarker sulfide for SRB detection. Herein Cu₂O-CuO EHPs have been synthesized via a highly controllable and facile approach at room temperature, where the redox centers of copper oxide nanoarchitectures are tuned via facet engineering, and then they are deposited on the graphene paper surface through an electrostatic adsorption to enable homogeneous and highly dense distribution. Owing to the synergistic contribution of high electrocatalytic activity from the Cu mixed oxidation states and abundant catalytically active facets of Cu₂O-CuO EHPs and high electrical conductivity of the graphene paper electrode substrate, the resultant nanohybrid paper electrode has exhibited superb electrochemical sensing properties for H₂S with a wide linear range up to 352 μM and an extremely low detection limit (LOD) of 0.1 nM with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3), as well as high sensitivity, stability, and selectivity. Furthermore, taking advantage of the good biocompatibility and mechanical flexibility, the electrochemical sensing platform based on the proposed electrode has been applied in the sensitive detection of SRB in environmental samples through the sensing of sulfide from SRB, which holds great promise for on-site and online corrosion and environmental monitoring.

Highly Stable Electrochemical Probe with Bidentate Thiols for Ratiometric Monitoring of Endogenous Polysulfide in Living Mouse Brains

The lack of reliable approaches for real-time measurement and quantification of polysulfides (H₂S_n) in vivo greatly limits the exploration of their potential roles in brain functions. Herein, an electrochemical probe, 4-(5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanamido)-1,2-phenylene bis(2-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate) (FP2), was rationally designed and created for determination of H₂S_n. The bis-electrophilic groups of FP2 could specifically recognize two -SH groups in H₂S_n and trigger the generation of an electroactive pyrocatechol moiety, resulting in a well-defined faradic current signal at ∼0.24 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Meanwhile, bidentate thiols were designed as anchoring sites to greatly improve the assembled stability of FP2 at the Au surface, which efficiently defended the interference of glutathione (GSH) with a current decrease of less than 5.2% even after long-term measurements in 5 mM GSH for 3 h. In addition, a stable inner reference molecule with dithiols, α-lipoic acid ferrocenylamide (FcBT), was synthesized to construct a ratiometric electrochemical strategy for in vivo determination of H₂S_n through one-step coassembling with FP2 via double S-Au bonds. The present ratiometric strategy demonstrated high selectivity for real-time tracking of H₂S_n in a linear range of 0.25-20 μM. Eventually, the developed microelectrode with high selectivity, accuracy, and stability was employed for in vivo assaying of H₂S_n in mouse brains with ischemia.

Development of an Electrochemical Dual H2S/Ca2+ Microsensor and Its In Vivo Application to a Rat Seizure Model

A dual electrochemical microsensor was fabricated for concurrent monitoring of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and calcium ions (Ca²⁺), which are closely linked important signaling species involved in various physiological processes. The dual sensor was prepared using a dual recessed electrode consisting of two platinum (Pt) microdisks (50 μm in diameter). Each electrode was individually optimized for the best sensing ability toward a target analyte. One electrode (WE1, amperometric H₂S sensor) was modified with electrodeposition of Au and electropolymerized polyaniline coating. The other electrode (WE2, all-solid-state Ca²⁺-selective electrode) was composed of Ag/AgCl onto the recessed Pt disk formed via electrodeposition/chloridation, followed by silanization and Ca²⁺-selective membrane loading. The current of WE1 and the potential of WE2 in a dual sensor responded linearly to H₂S concentration and logarithm of Ca²⁺ concentration, respectively, without a crosstalk between the sensing signals. Both WE1 and WE2 presented excellent sensitivity, selectivity (log⁡KH2S,iAmp≤-3.5, i = CO, NO, O₂, NO₂^-, AP, AA, DA, and GABA; and log⁡KCa2+,jPot≤-3.2, j = Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺), and fast response time with reasonable stability (during ca. 6 h in vivo experiment). Particularly, WE2 prepared using a mixture of two ionophores (ETH1001 and ETH129) and two plasticizers (2-nitrophenyl octyl ether and bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate) showed a very shortened response time (t_R to attain the ΔE/Δt slope of 0.6 mV/min = 3.0 ± 0.2 s, n ≥ 10), a critically required factor for real-time analysis. The developed sensor was utilized for simultaneous real-time monitoring of H₂S and Ca²⁺ changes at the brain cortex surface of a living rat during spontaneous epileptic seizures induced by a cortical 4-aminopyridine injection. The dynamic changes of H₂S and Ca²⁺ were clearly observed in an intimate correlation with the electrophysiological recording of seizures, demonstrating the sensor feasibility of in vivo and real-time simultaneous measurements of H₂S and Ca²⁺.

A Highly Selective and Sensitive Colorimetric Chemosensor for the Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide: Real-time Applications in Multiple Platforms

Calorimetric chemosensors are found to be advantageous sensing systems due to their simplicity and favorable responsive properties. Although some colorimetric probes have been reported to detect hydrogen sulfide (H₂ S), the creation of rapid, highly selective, and sensitive probes for the detection of H₂ S remains a challenging target. In this work, we established dinitrosulphonamide decorated phenanthridine, 2,4-dinitro-N-(4-(7,8,13,14-tetrahydrodibenzo[a, i]phenanthridin-5-yl)phenyl)benzenesulfonamide (PHSH), for the calorimetric detection of H₂ S. H₂ S triggered thiolysis of PHSH resulted in a marked absorption enhancement alongside a visual color change from colorless to dark yellow. The result indicated that the chemosensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity with a fast response of less than 10 s with a detection limit as low as 6.5 nM. The chemosensor reaction mechanism with H₂ S was studied by UV-vis, ¹ H NMR, mass and HPLC analysis. In addition, the chemosensor has been used for the determination of H₂ S in many real-time samples.

Ag2S/Ag Nanoparticle Microelectrodes for In Vivo Potentiometric Measurement of Hydrogen Sulfide Dynamics in the Rat Brain

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays a pivotal role in gas signal transduction, neuroprotection, and regulation of physiological and pathological processes. However, in vivo tracking the dynamic of hydrogen sulfide in the complex brain environment still faces huge challenges. This study demonstrates a new potentiometric method to monitor in vivo the dynamics of hydrogen sulfide in the rat brain using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-modified carbon fiber microelectrodes (AgNPs/CFE) pretreated with Na₂S (i.e., Ag₂S/AgNPs/CFE), which acts as a solid-contact and ion-selective microelectrode. The Ag₂S/AgNPs/CFE exhibits good potential response toward hydrogen sulfide in the range of 2.5-160 μM, with a detection limit of 0.8 μM. Because of the presence of Ag₂S, the Ag₂S/AgNPs/CFE shows good selectivity to hydrogen sulfide, avoiding the interference from coexistent electroactive neurochemicals and the analogies, such as ascorbic acid and cysteine in the central nervous system. This good selectivity combined with the reversibility, protein antifouling, and biocompatibility of the microelectrode enables the Ag₂S/AgNPs/CFE to detect hydrogen sulfide in the rat brain during local microinfusion of Na₂S and the change in pH. Our study provides a reliable method to track hydrogen sulfide selectively in vivo, which will help to explore the function of hydrogen sulfide in neurophysiology and pathology.

Electroactive Cu2O nanocubes engineered electrochemical sensor for H2S detection

An electrochemical sensor was proposed for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at room temperature, by using electroactive Cu₂O nanocubes (NCs) as an electrochemical beacon. Electroactive Cu₂O NCs were synthesized on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Fe₃O₄ nanosheets (NSs) due to the good electronic conductivity and well-responded magnetic responses. The fabricated rGO/Fe₃O₄/Cu₂O NSs not only showed electrochemical oxidization peak at -0.1 V from Cu₂O NCs, and could be served as sensitive electrochemical beacon for the simple modification on magnetic electrodes in the applications. The unique redox reaction between Cu₂O NCs and H₂S enabled the transformation of Cu₂O NCs to Cu₉S₈ NCs, resulting in decreased electroxidation responses at -0.1 V. The constructed electrochemical platform had a limit of detection (LOD) of 230 pM and a detection range of 500 pM-100 μM. The simple and cheap electrochemical sensor developed in this paper showed potential application for H₂S detection.

A novel fluorescent strategy based on double modifications of metal organic framework material CAU-10-NH2 for low background and high sensitivity determination of H2S

Hydrogen sulfide is typical metabolic marker and environmental pollutant which is worthwhile to determine. Herein, a low background and high sensitivity fluorescent strategy based on double modifications of metal organic framework material CAU-10-NH₂ is proposed for the determination of hydrogen sulfide. Firstly, a functional monomer 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid is employed to modify on the CAU-10-NH₂, the product CAU-10-NH-dAba has strong fluorescent performance at 412 nm under an excitation wavelength of 320 nm. Subsequently, it is further modified by the azide group to form CAU-10-NH-dAba-N₃. This azidation inhibits the fluorescent signal. However, in the presence of hydrogen sulfide, the azide group is specifically reduced to amidogen, and results in the recovery of the fluorescence. The CAU-10-NH-DABA-N₃ was characterized by solid state NMR, XPS, fluorescence, IR, XRD, SEM and specific surface area. After the optimization of pH value, temperature and interaction time, the detection results of hydrogen sulfide demonstrate the linear range of this strategy is from 20 to 140 nM with a detection limit of 1.51 nM, which is significantly better than that of the CAU-10-NH₂ merely modified by 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid. Meanwhile, the satisfactory assay results of hydrogen sulfide in serum sample and Pearl river water suggest a potential application prospect of this strategy in clinical diagnosis and environment monitoring.

Gd doped molybdenum selenide/carbon nanofibers: an excellent electrocatalyst for monitoring endogenous H2S

Design and synthesis of Gd doped molybdenum selenide/carbon nanofibers for monitoring H₂S.

Controlled-Potential-Based Electrochemical Sulfide Sensors: A Review

Due to their potential applications in industry and potent toxicity to the environment, sulfides and their detection have attracted the attention of researchers. To date, a large number of controlled-potential techniques for electrochemical sulfide sensors have been developed, thanks to their simplicity, reasonable limit of detection (LOD), and good selectivity. Different researchers have applied different strategies for developing selective and sensitive sulfide sensors. However, there has been no systematic review on controlled-potential techniques for sulfide sensing. In light of this absence, the main aim of this review article is to summarize various strategies for detecting sulfide in different media. The efficiencies of the developed sulfide sensors for detecting sulfide in its various forms are determined, and the essential parameters, including sensing strategies, working electrodes, detection media, pH, LOD, sensitivity, and linear detection range, are emphasized in particular. Future research in this area is also recommended. It is expected that this review will act as a basis for further research on the fabrication of sulfide sensors for practical applications.

Dual mode electrochemical-photoelectrochemical sensing platform for hydrogen sulfide detection based on the inhibition effect of titanium dioxide/bismuth tungstate/silver heterojunction

A novel dual mode sensing platform is constructed for highly selective detection of H₂S, attributing to the efficient electrochemical (EC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) signal responses of the TiO₂/Bi₂WO₆/Ag heterojunction. On the one hand, TiO₂/Bi₂WO₆/Ag heterojunction with excellent catalytic performance for the reduction of H₂O₂ could be employed act as a probe, providing a remarkable EC response through an amperometric i-t method. On the other hand, this hybrid provides a photoelectric beacon with a favorable energy-band configuration. More interestingly, the EC and PEC responses of the functionalized electrodes are proportionately decreased in response to the generation of Bi₂S₃ and Ag₂S nanoparticles upon exposure to sulfide ions. The decreased EC and PEC signals could be ascribed to the poor catalytic properties and the recombination of photoexcited electron - hole pairs of the Bi₂S₃ and Ag₂S. Under the optimal conditions, the dual mode sensor exhibits a wide linear response in the range from 0.5 μM to 300 μM with a detection limit of 0.08 μM for the detection of H₂S. Enabled by this unique sensitization mechanism, the proposed sensing platform displays an excellent analytical performance with good selectivity, reproducibility and stability, which providing an alternative pathway of H₂S detecting in practical application.

Enhancing Enzyme-like Activities of Prussian Blue Analog Nanocages by Molybdenum Doping: Toward Cytoprotecting and Online Optical Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring

Artificial nanozymes have been designed to solve the problems of high cost and poor stability involving natural enzymes in analytical applications. Nevertheless, the catalytic efficiency of the nanozyme still needs to be improved so that it can meet the stability and sensitivity requirements of continuous biological detection. We presented an effective tailoring strategy to enhance the enzyme-like activities of Prussian-blue-analog-based nanozymes. Molybdenum-polysulfide-deposited nickel-iron bimetal Prussian-blue-analog-based hollow nanocages (Nanocages) with peroxidase-, catalase-, and laccase-mimicking activities were synthesized. The doping of molybdenum successfully tailored the size, morphology, composition, and complex structure of the Nanocage, and the peroxidase- and laccase-mimicking activities of the Nanocage nanozyme were enhanced by over 37 and 27 times, respectively, compared with pristine Prussian blue analogs. Moreover, in environments of harsh pH, high temperature, and high salt concentration, Nanocages exhibited much higher stability than natural enzymes. The peroxidase- and catalase-mimicking activities were applied to eliminate reactive oxygen species in cells, whereas the laccase-like activity of Nanocages was integrated with an online sensing platform for in vivo and continuous optical hydrogen sulfide monitoring in the brains of living rats. Our findings may provide possibilities for advancing the design strategy of highly active nanozymes as well as nanozyme-based in vivo detection methods and will offer unique opportunities for their involvement in bioanalytical chemistry.

Characteristics and Treatment of Wastewater from the Mercaptan Oxidation Process: A Comprehensive Review

Sulfur compounds are removed from petroleum by the addition of sodium hydroxide at a very high concentration. As a result, a residue called spent soda or spent caustic is generated, being extremely aggressive to the environment. In this work, the chemical properties of this residue are described in detail. The sodium hydroxide remains that have not reacted, sulfur compounds, and organic matter are the primary pollutants reported. Additionally, the main characteristics of the methods of treatment used to reduce them are described. This review comes from comprehensive and updated research and bibliographic analysis about the investigation on the topic. The advantages and disadvantages of the different treatment methods are highlighted. We established some criteria to set out when assessing the application of each one of these treatments is considered.

A cobalt corrole/carbon nanotube enables simultaneous electrochemical monitoring of oxygen and ascorbic acid in the rat brain

It is of interest to in vivo monitor the co-dynamics of different substances. However, the tracking of multiple species is still challenging. In this work, we demonstrate an in vivo electrochemical method by using multi-potential step amperometry to in vivo detect ascorbic acid (AA) and oxygen (O2) simultaneously. In order to achieve good selectivity and high sensitivity for both AA and O2, we design a cobalt corrole [Co(tpfc)(py)2] (tpfc = 5,10,15-tris(penta-fluorophenyl) corrole, py = pyridine, denoted as Co-TPFC) and carbon nanotube nanocomposite to modify a carbon fiber microelectrode (Co-TPFC/MWNT/CFE). This Co-TPFC/MWNT/CFE exhibits excellent electrocatalytic properties towards the reduction of O2 preceding a 4e process and facilitates the oxidation of AA at low potential in the physiological environment. Based on this, we realize simultaneous detection of AA and O2 using two-potential steps (one cathodic (-0.2 V) and the other anodic (+0.05 V)) with 1 second step time. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments proved the feasibility of this method. This demonstrated strategy is useful for us to understand various physiological and pathological processes associated with O2 and AA co-dynamics, and also provides an idea for detecting multiple substances simultaneously.

Integrating Prussian Blue Analog-Based Nanozyme and Online Visible Light Absorption Approach for Continuous Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring in Brains of Living Rats

The continuous detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is significant for revealing its role in the neuron protection and diagnosis of various diseases. In this study, a Prussian blue analog nanocubes (PBA NCs)-based oxidase-like mimic was synthesized and designed for continuous H₂S monitoring in a visible light absorption-based online optical detection platform (OODP). A specific chemical reaction between H₂S and the PBA NCs induce a decreasing oxidase-like activity of the PBA NCs, generating lower amounts of oxidized products of 3,3'5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and increasing the light intensity. By coupling the microdialysis techniques with OODP, excellent linearity in the range of 0.1-20 μM H₂S with a limit of detection of 33 nM and outstanding stability, reproducibility, and specificity in the response to H₂S were exhibited. By using this OODP, near real-time response and continuous H₂S measurements in the brains of living rats were successfully achieved. This new idea of integrating enzyme-like mimics with specific chemical reactions to form an online optical detection platform for continuous monitoring of neurochemical in the brain may be highly meaningful for thoroughly understanding the function of the brain.

Rational Design of Specific Recognition Molecules for Simultaneously Monitoring of Endogenous Polysulfide and Hydrogen Sulfide in the Mouse Brain

A biosensor was created for the simultaneous monitoring of endogenous H₂ S_n and H₂ S in mouse brains and exploring their roles in activation of the TRPA1 channel under two types of brain disease models: ischemia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Based on DFT calculations and electrochemical measurements, two probes, 3,4-bis((2-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoyl)oxy)-benzoic acid (M_PS-1 ) and N-(4-(2,5-dinitrophenoxy) phenyl)-5-(1, 2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanamide (M_HS-1 ), were synthesized for specific recognition of H₂ S_n and H₂ S. Through co-assembly of the two probes at the mesoporous gold film with good anti-biofouling ability and electrocatalytic activity, this microsensor showed high selectivity for H₂ S_n and H₂ S against potential biological interferences. The biosensor can simultaneously determine the concentration of H₂ S_n from 0.2 to 50 μm, as well as that of H₂ S from 0.2 to 40 μm. The expression of TRPA1 protein positively correlated with levels of H₂ S_n under both ischemia and AD.

Ischemic Postconditioning Recovers Cortex Ascorbic Acid during Ischemia/Reperfusion Monitored with an Online Electrochemical System

As a promising therapeutic treatment, ischemic postconditioning has recently received considerable attention. Although the neuroprotection effect of postconditioning has been observed, a reliable approach that can evaluate the neuroprotective efficiency of postconditioning treatment during the acute period after ischemia remains to be developed. This study investigates the dynamics of cortex ascorbic acid during the acute period of cerebral ischemia before and after ischemic postconditioning with an online electrochemical system (OECS). The cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and the neuronal functional outcome are evaluated with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiological recording techniques. Electrochemical recording results show that cortex ascorbic acid sharply increases 10 min after middle cerebral artery occlusion and then reaches a plateau. After direct reperfusion following ischemia (i.e., without ischemic postconditioning), the cortex ascorbic acid further increases and then starts to decrease slowly at a time point of about 40 min after reperfusion. In striking contrast, the cortex ascorbic acid drops and recovers to its basal level after ischemic postconditioning followed by reperfusion. With the recovery of cortex ascorbic acid, ischemic postconditioning concomitantly promotes the recovery of neural function and reduces the oxidative damage. These results demonstrate that our OECS for monitoring cortex ascorbic acid can be used as a platform for evaluating the neuroprotective efficiency of ischemic postconditioning in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, which is of great importance for screening proper postconditioning parameters for preventing ischemic damages.

Hierarchical CNTs@CuMn Layered Double Hydroxide Nanohybrid with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance in H2S Detection from Live Cells

The precise monitoring of H₂S has aroused immense research interest in the biological and biomedical fields since it is exposed as a third endogenous gasotransmitter. Hence, there is an urgent requisite to explore an ultrasensitive and economical H₂S detection system. Herein, we report a simple strategy to configure an extremely sensitive electrochemical sensor with a 2D nanosheet-shaped layered double hydroxide (LDH) wrapped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanohybrid (CNTs@LDH), where a series of CNTs@CuMn-LDH nanohybrids with varied amounts of LDH nanosheets grafted on a conductive CNTs backbone has been synthesized via a facile coprecipitation approach. Taking advantage of the unique core-shell structure, the integrated electrochemically active CuMn-LDH nanosheets on the conductive CNTs scaffold, the maximum interfacial collaboration, and the superior specific surface area with a plethora of surface active sites and ultrathin LDH layers, the as-prepared CNTs@CuMn-LDH nanoarchitectures have exhibited superb electrocatalytic activity toward H₂S oxidation. Under the optimum conditions, the electrochemical sensor based on the CNTs@CuMn-LDH nanohybrid shows remarkable sensing performances for H₂S determination in terms of a wide linear range and a low detection limit of 0.3 nM (S/N = 3), high selectivity, reproducibility, and durability. With marvelous efficiency achieved, the proposed sensing platform has been practically used in in situ detection of abiotic H₂S efflux produced by sulfate reducing bacteria and real-time in vitro tracking of H₂S concentrations from live cells after being excreted by a stimulator which in turn might serve as early diseases diagnosis. Thus, our core-shell hybrid nanoarchitectures fabricated via structural integration strategy will open new horizons in material synthesis, biosensing systems, and clinical chemistry.

Metal–organic framework nanosheets with flower-like structure as probes for H2S detection and in situ singlet-oxygen production

A metal–organic framework nanosheet with flower-like structure was designed as a probe for H₂S detection and in situ singlet-oxygen production under physiological pH.

DNA-nanohydrogel self-assembled gold nanoparticles: co-profiling of multiple small molecule reductants in rat brain

DNA nanohydrogel self-assembled AuNPs were established for small molecule reductant profiling in rat brain.

A red mitochondria-targeted AIEgen for visualizing H2S in living cells and tumours

A red mitochondria-targeted AIEgen with greater conjugate and more positive charges for visualizing H₂S in cells and tumours.

Real-time monitoring of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in the rat brain by developing a ratiometric electrochemical biosensor

As a reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) generated by nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O₂˙⁻) plays important roles in physiological and pathological processes in the brain.

Facet-Inspired Core-Shell Gold Nanoislands on Metal Oxide Octadecahedral Heterostructures: High Sensing Performance toward Sulfide in Biotic Fluids

The development of structurally modified metal oxide heteroarchitectures with higher energy facets exposed has been of extensive research interests because of their unique construction and synergy effect of multifunctioning characteristics. In this study, we reported for the first time the development of a distinct type of gold nanoislands (AuNIs) on metal oxides (i.e., Cu₂O-CuO) octadecahedral (ODH) heterostructures through the galvanic exchange reaction, where Cu₂O not only acts as a stabilizer but also functions as a reductant. The electrocatalytic performance of the resultant core-shell Cu₂O-CuO@AuNI ODH-based electrochemical sensing platform has been evaluated in ultrasensitive detection of sulfide as early disease diagnostics and bacterial marker. Owing to the synergistic collaboration of enhanced surface active sites, exposed {110} crystallographic facets, mixed valances of copper that encourage redox reactions at electrode material/analyte interface, and the polarization effect provide by AuNIs decorated onto the Cu₂O surface, Cu₂O-CuO@AuNI ODH-modified electrode has demonstrated striking electrochemical sensing performance toward sulfide oxidation in terms of broad linear range, real detection limit down to 1 nM (S/N = 3), and incredible durability and reproducibility. In virtue of marvelous efficiency, the proposed electrochemical sensor based on Cu₂O-CuO@AuNI ODH has been employed in in situ sensitive detection of a ubiquitous amount of sulfide engendered by sulfate-reducing bacteria and real-time tracking of sulfide efflux from live cells as early diagnostic strategies.

New insights towards strikingly improved room temperature ethanol sensing properties of p-type Ce-doped SnO2 sensors

In this article, room temperature ethanol sensing behavior of p-type Ce doped SnO₂ nanostructures are investigated successfully. Interestingly, it is examined that the abnormal n to p-type transition behavior is caused by Ce doping in SnO₂ lattice. In p-type Ce doped SnO₂, Ce ion substituting the Sn is in favor of generating excess holes as oxygen vacancies, which is associated with the improved sensing performance. Although, p-type SnO₂ is one of the important materials for practical applications, it is less studied as compared to n-type SnO₂. Pure and Ce doped SnO₂ nanostructures were successfully synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. The structure, surface morphology, unpaired electrons (such as free radicals), and chemical composition of obtained nanoparticles were studied by various kinds of characterization techniques. The 9% Ce doped SnO₂ sensors exhibit maximum sensor response of ~382 for 400 ppm of ethanol exposure with fast response time of ~5 to 25 sec respectively. Moreover, it is quite interesting that such enhancement of ethanol sensing is unveiled at room temperature, which plays a key role in the quest for better ethanol sensors. These remarkably improved sensing results are attributed to uniformly distributed nanoparticles, lattice strain, complex defect chemistry and presence of large number of unpaired electrons on the surface.