Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor for Hydrogen Sulfide in Rat Brain Microdialysis via CsPbBr₃ Quantum Dots

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr₃ QDs) exhibit instability and insolubility in aqueous solutions, limiting their use in polar solvents.
• Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a significant toxic pollutant and an important endogenous signaling molecule, necessitating sensitive detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fluorescent sensor for the rapid and selective detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).
• To overcome the solubility limitations of CsPbBr₃ QDs in aqueous environments for sensing applications.

Main Methods:

• A simple device was designed to separate H₂S gas from aqueous solutions.
• Cesium lead bromide perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr₃ QDs) were employed as fluorescent probes in an n-hexane solution.
• H₂S was transferred from the aqueous sample to the n-hexane solution, leading to fluorescence quenching of the CsPbBr₃ QDs.

Main Results:

• The developed sensor demonstrated a linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and H₂S concentration in the range of 0-100 μM.
• A low detection limit of 0.18 μM for H₂S was achieved.
• The system was successfully applied to detect H₂S in rat brain microdialysate samples with satisfactory results.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method provides a sensitive and selective approach for H₂S detection using CsPbBr₃ QDs.
• The developed device and sensing strategy effectively address the solubility issues of perovskite quantum dots in aqueous solutions.
• This work offers a promising tool for monitoring H₂S in biological and environmental contexts.