Paper-Strip-Based Sensors for H₂S Detection: A Proof-of-Principle Study

In this work, the authors explored the interaction of a suite of fluorescent zinc complexes with H₂S. The authors provide evidence that HS^- binds the zinc center of all the complexes under investigation, allowing them to possibly function as sensors by a 'coordinative-based' approach. Naked-eye color changes occur when treating the systems with HS^-, so the fluorescence responses are modulated by the presence of HS^-, which has been related to a change in the energy level and coupling of excited states through a computational study. The results show the potential of the systems to function as HS^-/H₂S colorimetric and fluorescent sensors. Paper-strip-based sensing experiments foresee the potential of using this family of complexes as chemosensors of HS^- in more complex biological fluids.