Incorporation of Zinc and Nickel Complexes that Bind H2S and HS in ChemFET Sensing Devices

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Project Summary/Abstract Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important analytical target for sensing applications in diverse settings, including the environment, biomedical sciences, and petroleum and natural gas industries. Preliminary results from my work in the Pluth/Johnson laboratories has established the feasibility of using ChemFET architectures to detect hydrosulfide (HS–) anion in aqueous solution. This approach leverages the detection of HS–, which is the most prevalent protonation state of H2S under physiological conditions, by direct molecular recognition. Although these preliminary results provide the first example of detecting HS– with a ChemFET, the initial limit of detection (LoD) of 8 mM is currently only applicable in the natural gas industry; significantly lower detection limits are needed for environmental monitoring or in biological settings. In order to improve the applicability of these HS– sensing devices I will build new recognition elements in the ChemFET platform. The key innovative element of this research proposal is to further develop H2S and HS– recognition chemistry by using a new approach of synthesizing molecular metal complexes that have strong binding interactions with H2S and HS– and incorporating them into ChemFET architectures that have proven to show concertation dependent responses to HS– in aqueous solution. My extensive experience as a synthetic inorganic chemist coupled with my experience as a post-doctoral researcher that has developed ChemFETs to sense a variety of analytes prepares me well to develop new technologies for H2S or HS– detection. In addition to the proposed research and as part of my professional development to advance my career goals of building a start-up company or working in industry, I am excited to enroll and continue to participate in the Lens of the Market (LOTM) workshop. LOTM is a three-stage program designed for scientists to learn about the value of research in addressing the challenges faced by people in the real world. It also aims to provide networking for job and career opportunities. I will perform market research in the field of sensing to pair sensing technologies with specific market needs. I have completed stages one and two of the LOTM program and I will continue on to stage three. Lastly, the environment in which the research will be performed is an interdisciplinary research environment. I interact regularly with my sponsor and cosponsor who are experts in the field of sensing, supramolecular chemistry, small molecule binding in metal complexes and hydrogen sulfide related chemistry. Many faculty members, including Profs. Pluth and Johnson (sponsors), are members of cross-department institutes, such as the Materials Science Institute, Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, and the Institute of Molecular Biology, which provides me with an additional breadth of interactions.