Small molecule probes as versatile energy acceptors: A breakthrough in photoelectrochemical sensing for sulfur dioxide recording in rat brain

Microelectrode-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing is a newly developed and promising analytical technique for in vivo analysis. However, the inadequate specificity in complex environment of living bodies restricted its further in vivo application. Herein, we utilized a small molecule probe as the energy acceptor to quench the photocurrent of CdTe quantum dots through energy transfer. The efficiency of energy transfer was modulated by the concentration of target SO2, resulting in changes in photocurrent. The chemical recognition reaction between small molecule probes and SO2 enhanced the specificity of PEC sensing, thus guaranteeing its in vivo applications. Furthermore, with the use of light addressing strategy, simultaneous detection in the multiple brain regions was implemented. The energy transfer based light addressable PEC microsensor achieved monitoring fluctuations of SO2 levels in multiple brain regions of rats with epilepsy.