Efficient detection of hydrogen peroxide based on hollow SiO2 photonic crystals and Rhodamine 6G

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important oxidant that exists widely in biological systems and the environment, and has been extensively used in medical, environmental, food, and industrial fields. Accurate, rapid, and sensitive detection of H2O2 content is of great significance in the fields of biomedicine, environmental monitoring, food safety, and public safety. In this study, a probe was developed by utilizing Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), a readily available commercial fluorescent dye, within hollow SiO2 photonic crystals (HSPCs) to produce an amplified fluorescent signal. Furthermore, I- were incorporated into the system, which can be oxidized to I2 in the presence of H2O2. The I3- produced can react with Rh6G to form a complex that quenches the fluorescence signal, enabling highly efficient detection of H2O2. The method does not require complex organic synthesis or modification of fluorescent groups. Additionally, the sensors exhibit good performance in terms of repeated use and can also potentially detect different concentrations of ethanol solutions.