Combinatorial approach towards materials for optical ion sensors

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 147; no. 1-2; pp. 87 - 92
• Main Authors: CHOJNACKI, Pawet, WERNER, Tobias, WOLFBEIS, Otto S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wien Springer 01.06.2004; New York, NY
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General, instrumentation; Spectrometric and optical methods; Dyes; Electrolyte solution; Combinatorial chemistry; Optical sensor; Selectivity; optical sensors; Chemical sensor; Optimization; Fluorescence spectrometry; Lipophilic compound; Plasticizer; Response time; Fluorescent labelling; fluorescence; Alkali metal ion; Optical material; Polarity; Ionophore; ionophores; ion sensors
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-004-0221-7

We report on the results of a combinatorial approach for the optimization of materials for use in fluorescent sensing of metal ions, primarily alkali ions. The sensor materials studied are composed of a hydrogel containing an emulsion of a lipophilic plasticizer, the latter incorporating an ion carrier and a polarity-sensitive dye that acts as a fluorescent reporter probe. The carriers were varied, and the response of all sensor materials to 24 electrolyte solutions was studied using a microtiterplate format, the sensor layers being deposited on the bottom of the wells. The method is shown to enable fast screening of ion carrier-based sensors with respect to sensor composition, response time, signal change, and selectivity.