Near-infrared fluorescent probe for detection of hydrogen sulfide in water samples and food spoilage

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a common toxic gas that threatens the quality and safety of environmental water and food. Herein, a new near-infrared fluorescent probe DTCM was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction for sensing H₂S. It exhibited a remarkable "turn-on" near-infrared (NIR) emission response at 665 nm with a remarkably massive Stokes shift of 175 nm, super-rapid detection ability (within 30 s), excellent photostability, high selectivity and sensitivity (limit of detection, LOD = 58 nM). Additionally, the probe was successfully utilized for the detection of H₂S in environmental water samples. The DTCM-loaded test papers enabled convenient and real-time monitoring of H₂S produced by food spoilage.

Keywords: Food spoilage; H(2)S; Near-infrared fluorescent probe; Water samples.