Chemiluminescent semiconductor polymer nanoparticles for sensitive H₂O₂ detection based on chemiluminescence...

In this work, a novel chemiluminescent semiconducting polymer nanoparticles PFBT-ABEI-PEG (PAP SPNs) has been designed and synthesized, which consisted of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (PFBT) main chains, N-(4-Aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) side chains conjugated. Through the exploration of covalent linkage and optimal conformation, the distance between donor-acceptor molecules has been considerably shortened, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET). Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is both a key signaling molecule and an important regulator of redox balance, playing dual roles in a variety of pathophysiological processes. We established a stable intramolecular CRET system based on PAP SPNs, which showed highly sensitive response to H₂O₂. The limit of detection can reach as low as 33.88 nM under the optimum experimental conditions. Finally, this method was successfully applied to the detection of H₂O₂ in cancer cells.