Sensing during in situ growth of Mn-doped ZnS QDs: a phosphorescent sensor for detection of H2S in biological samples

Monitoring the in situ growth of Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots is shown to be a route to selectively detect H2S, an important endogenously produced signalling molecule. The use of Mn(2+) as a dopant resulted in orange phosphorescence, making it possible to avoid the background fluorescence from biological surroundings that can occur at other wavelengths. The choice of ZnS QDs as the host material ensured selectivity, since only sulfide can precipitate Zn(2+) and Mn(2+) from aqueous solution.