Fluorophore-Induced Plasmonic Current: Generation-Based Detection of Singlet Oxygen

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Sensing
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is a reactive oxygen species with significant biological and chemical implications.
• Current detection methods for ¹O₂ often rely on fluorescence, requiring specialized optical equipment.
• There is a need for alternative, simplified detection strategies for ¹O₂.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first surface-based electrical detection of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) using the fluorophore-induced plasmonic current (PC) technique.
• To demonstrate the utility of the singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG) probe in generating PC for ¹O₂ detection.
• To explore a new avenue for electrical detection of reactive oxygen species.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the "turn on" fluorescence response of the SOSG probe upon interaction with ¹O₂.
• Generated fluorophore-induced PC in a silver nanoparticle film.
• Employed a photosensitizing molecule to produce ¹O₂ in solution with the SOSG probe.

Main Results:

• Observed an increase in induced electric current flow due to enhanced energy transfer from SOSG to silver nanoparticles.
• Successfully detected singlet oxygen (¹O₂) using the fluorophore-induced PC method.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of electrical detection of ¹O₂ without traditional photodetectors.

Conclusions:

• Fluorophore-induced PC offers a novel and simplified approach for the electrical detection of singlet oxygen (¹O₂).
• This method bypasses the need for conventional optical detection systems, potentially reducing instrumentation complexity and cost.
• This work pioneers the electrical detection of reactive oxygen species using PC, opening new possibilities in chemical sensing.