A fluorescently-doped thermoplastic polymer as a proof-of-principle device for the detection and capture of H2S and its HS− anion

Mono and dinuclear Zn(salen-type) complexes 1 and 2 are presented as efficient sensing and adsorption materials for HS-. The addition of HS− provokes colorimetric and fluorometric changes, useful for optical absorption and fluorescence analyses. Moreover, the limit of detection for HS− for both complexes falls in the sub-micromolar range of concentration. The adsorption/desorption process of HS- nanoporous crystalline sulfonated polyphenyleneoxide (NC-sPPO) films doped with Zn(salen-type) complexes and an interesting recycling-potential of this system in the detection of hydrogen sulfide, even over time, was proven. The presented results provide proof-of-principle that a fluorescent complex immobilized in a suitable thermoplastic polymer could be the right material to use in a HS- measuring device that might lead to new developments in the field of optical sensing.