Turn-on Luminescent Probe for Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing and Imaging in Living Cells based on an Iridium(III) Complex–Silver Nanoparticle Platform

Abstract

Abstract A sensitive turn-on luminescent sensor for H 2 O 2 based on the silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-mediated quenching of an luminescent Ir(III) complex ( Ir-1 ) has been designed. In the absence of H 2 O 2 , the luminescence intensity of Ir-1 can be quenched by AgNPs via non-radiative energy transfer. However, H 2 O 2 can oxidize AgNPs to soluble Ag + cations, which restores the luminescence of Ir-1 . The sensing platform displayed a sensitive response to H 2 O 2 in the range of 0−17 μM, with a detection limit of 0.3 μM. Importantly, the probe was successfully applied to monitor intracellular H 2 O 2 in living cells, and it also showed high selectivity for H 2 O 2 over other interfering substances.