A Plant‐inspired Light Transducer for High‐performance Near‐infrared Light Mediated Gas Sensing

Abstract

Constructing near‐infrared light (NIR) light‐enhanced room temperature gas sensors is becoming more promising for practical application. In this study, learning from the structure and photosynthetic process of chlorophyll thylakoid membranes in plants, the first “Thylakoid membrane” structural formaldehyde (HCHO) sensor is constructed by matching the upconversion emission of the lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and the UV–vis adsorption of the as‐prepared nanocomposites. The NIR‐mediated sensor exhibits excellent performances, including ultra‐high response (Ra / Rg = 2.22, 1 ppm), low practical limit of detection (50 ppb), reliable repeatability, high selectivity, and broadband spectral response. The practicality of the NIR‐mediated gas sensor is confirmed through the remote and external stimulation test. A study of sensing mechanism demonstrates that it is the UCNPs‐based light transducer produces more light‐induced oxygen species for gas response in the process of non‐radiative/radiative energy transfer, playing a key role in significantly improving the sensing properties of the sensor. The universality of NIR‐mediated gas sensors based on UCNPs is verified using ZnO, In2O3, and SnO2 systems. This work paves a way for fabricating high‐performance NIR‐mediated gas sensors and will expand the application fields of NIR light.

Upconversion Nanoparticles Based Sensing: From Design to Point‐of‐Care Testing

“…As depicted in Figure A, Liang and colleagues developed a formaldehyde sensor utilizing UCNPs, drawing inspiration from the structural resemblance to thylakoid membranes found in chlorophyll‐containing plant cells. [ 67 ] Within the heterogeneous structure of this sensor, UCNPs have the capacity to convert near‐infrared light into UV‐Vis light. Subsequently, dipole‐modified graphene nanosheets can absorb UV‐Vis light to generate electrons, which are then employed to produce photo‐induced oxygen.…”

“…(Reproduced with permission. [ 67 ] Copyright 2023, Wiley‐VCH.) B) Schematic illustrations of MIPs‐modified UCNPs utilized for the preparation of electrochemical sensors and dopamine sensing.…”

“…The chemical sensors based on UCNPs: A) Schematic illustrations of the heterogeneous structure of formaldehyde sensor. (Reproduced with permission [67]. Copyright 2023, Wiley-VCH.)…”

A bio-inspired and switchable H+/OH− ion-channel for room temperature exhaled CO2 chemiresistive sensing

“…The preparation process of the CO 2 sensor is similar to our previous report. [31][32][33][34] Briey, 5 mL of sensing material dispersion (0.1 mg mL −1 ) was drop-coated on interdigital electrodes (IDEs) and dried at 50 °C for 30 min. The resistance change of the prepared sensor was recorded with a Keithley 2450 source meter (Tektronix, USA).…”

Enhanced Sensitivity of ZnFe2O4 Based on Ordered Magnetic Moment Induced by Magnetic Field: A New Insight into Mechanism

“…[6] Substantial efforts have been committed to improving the gas-sensitive properties, which mainly include element doping, modification of surface precious metals, construction of heterostructures, and ultraviolet (UV)/visible light excitation. [7][8][9][10][11][12] For instance, Molavi and Sheikhi synthesized Al-doped CuO nanostructures and obtained highly sensitive carbon monoxide gas sensors. [13] Wei et al prepared Fe 2 O 3 /ZnFe 2 O 4 heterojunction porous nanocomposites that can detect 200 ppb triethylamine with better sensing performance than pure Fe 2 O 3 spindles.…”