A biodegradable and biocompatibile polymer-shell to develop a H2S sensing device

In this contribution we report a new family of fluorescent complexes suitable as H 2 S sensors: their structural common unit is the pyridine group within the Zn-chelating ligands. Structures containing pyridines with other π-conjugated motifs represent easily accessible fluorescent materials with excellent optical properties. The successful adsorption of the developed sensors in a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, such as Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), provides proof-of-principle for the application of the new materials in the field of H 2 S (bio) sensing and more in general of the optical sensing. • Pyridine-containing zinc complexes as fluorescent H 2 S sensors. • Fluorescently labeled PBS films as H 2 S sensing devices. • A biodegradable and biocompatible polymer-shell for implementing a robust and easy-to-set-up H 2 S sensor.