Insight into a Fenton-like Reaction Using Nanodiamond Based Relaxometry

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Quantum Sensing

Background:

• Copper plays vital biological roles but can cause oxidative damage, particularly with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
• Understanding copper-H2O2 interactions is crucial for cellular health and disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the real-time reactions between copper and H2O2.
• To introduce and validate a novel quantum sensing technique for monitoring copper dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Spectroscopic techniques were employed to study copper-H2O2 reactions.
• A new quantum sensing method using fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers was utilized.
• T1 relaxometry measurements were performed for nanoscale magnetic resonance at room temperature and nanomolar concentrations.

Main Results:

• Real-time measurements of copper were achieved during a Fenton-like reaction.
• The quantum sensing technique successfully monitored both the increase and decrease of copper species.
• This method offers advantages over traditional chemical fluorescent probes for dynamic copper tracking.

Conclusions:

• Quantum sensing with NV-center-containing FNDs provides a powerful tool for real-time copper monitoring.
• This technique offers new insights into copper's role in oxidative processes.
• The ability to track both copper increase and decrease in real-time opens new avenues for biochemical research.