Molecularly assembled graphdiyne with atomic sites for ultrafast and real-time detection of nitric oxide in cell assays

Nitric oxide as a signal molecule participates in a variety of physiological and pathological processes but its realtime detection in cell assays still faces challenging because of the trace amount, short half-life and easy conversion to other substances. We report here a rational design by assembling highly pi-conjugated and small capacitive gaphdiyne (GDY) with a coordination complex of hemin (HEM) into a molecularly assembled material of GDY/HEM to achieve ultrafast and real-time monitoring of nitric oxide in cell assays. GDY comprising alkynyl C atoms can hybridize with the HEM to enable strong pi-pi interaction and atomic dispersion of iron sites while avoiding the formation of catalytically inactive dimer for the HEM. These characteristics make the GDY/HEM an excellent sensing material towards nitric oxide, which has an ultrafast response time of 0.95 s, a low detection limit of 7 nM and long linear range up to 151.38 mu\M. The GDY/HEM realizes real-time monitoring nitric oxide released from cancer and normal cells, demonstrating its capability for cell analysis.

Automated summary

This study presents a molecularly assembled material of GDY/HEM for ultrafast and real-time monitoring of nitric oxide in cell assays. GDY/HEM shows excellent sensing capabilities with an ultrafast response time, low detection limit, and wide linear range, making it suitable for real-time monitoring of nitric oxide released from cancer and normal cells.