Light-activated g-C3N4 photoelectrodes with a selective molecular sieve for in vivo quantification of oxygen levels in the living mouse brain

Abstract

A novel micro-photoelectrode with a selective molecular sieve was created for in vivo monitoring of O₂ levels in the mouse brain. An ITO optical fiber modified by graphitized carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) in situ was employed as the light activated substrate to provide rich photo-induced electrons for the catalytic reduction of O₂. Meanwhile, the porous hybrid layer composed of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 and polysulfone was constructed over the g-C₃N₄ surface as the molecular sieve to synergically enhance the selectivity of O₂ detections. By advantage of this useful tool, the real time variation of the O₂ level was successfully determined in the mouse brain upon ischemia.