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Chen WH, Armstrong E, Dillingham PW, Moratti SC, Ennis C, McGraw CM. Dual-Lifetime Referencing ( t-DLR) Optical Fiber Fluorescent pH Sensor for Microenvironments. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:8865. [PMID: 37960564 PMCID: PMC10650387 DOI: 10.3390/s23218865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The pH behavior in the μm to cm thick diffusion boundary layer (DBL) surrounding many aquatic species is dependent on light-controlled metabolic activities. This DBL microenvironment exhibits different pH behavior to bulk seawater, which can reduce the exposure of calcifying species to ocean acidification conditions. A low-cost time-domain dual-lifetime referencing (t-DLR) interrogation system and an optical fiber fluorescent pH sensor were developed for pH measurements in the DBL interface. The pH sensor utilized dual-layer sol-gel coatings of pH-sensitive iminocoumarin and pH-insensitive Ru(dpp)3-PAN. The sensor has a dynamic range of 7.41 (±0.20) to 9.42 ± 0.23 pH units (95% CI, T = 20 °C, S = 35), a response time (t90) of 29 to 100 s, and minimal salinity dependency. The pH sensor has a precision of approximately 0.02 pHT units, which meets the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) "weather" measurement quality guideline. The suitability of the t-DLR optical fiber pH sensor was demonstrated through real-time measurements in the DBL of green seaweed Ulva sp. This research highlights the practicability of optical fiber pH sensors by demonstrating real-time pH measurements of metabolic-induced pH changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Har Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.-H.C.); (S.C.M.); (C.E.)
| | - Evelyn Armstrong
- NIWA/University of Otago Centre for Oceanography, Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
| | - Peter W. Dillingham
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
- Coastal People Southern Skies Centre of Research Excellence, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Stephen C. Moratti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.-H.C.); (S.C.M.); (C.E.)
| | - Courtney Ennis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.-H.C.); (S.C.M.); (C.E.)
| | - Christina M. McGraw
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.-H.C.); (S.C.M.); (C.E.)
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Solid Fluorescence pH Sensors Based on 1,8-Naphthalimide Copolymers Synthesized by UV Curing. CHEMOSENSORS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors10020073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Novel water-swollen photo-crosslinked membranes were obtained by copolymerization of the N-vinylpyrrolidone, butyl acrylate and ethyl methacrylate monomers functionalized with naphthalimide groups, as pH sensitive fluorescence probes. For that purpose, two monomers with pending naphthalimide groups anchored to ethyl methacrylate through alkyl chains with different length, were previously synthesized. The membranes were characterized using different techniques. The pH dependence of absorbance and the corresponding quenching of fluorescence were investigated and related to the structure of naphthalimide substituents linked to the membrane. The new solid sensors exhibited sensitive fluorescence changes at pH < 3, and lower time response was determined for membranes where the sensing group was linked through longer alkyl chain to the polymer matrix. The membranes were solid, thermally stable and easily handled to be applied as sensor materials, and showed a reversible behavior, which is an important feature for further fabrication of an economical on-site tool for the acidity detection in aqueous environments.
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Míguez‐Lago S, Gliemann BD, Kivala M, Cid MM. A Chiral Molecular Cage Comprising Diethynylallenes and N-Heterotriangulenes for Enantioselective Recognition. Chemistry 2021; 27:13352-13357. [PMID: 34374138 PMCID: PMC8518621 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Chirality, a characteristic tool of molecular recognition in nature, is often a complement of redox active systems. Scientists, in their eagerness to mimic such sophistication, have designed numerous chiral systems based on molecular entities with cavities, such as macrocycles and cages. In an attempt to combine chirality and redox-active species, in this contribution we report the synthesis and detailed characterization of a chiral shape-persistent molecular cage based on the combination of enantiopure diethynylallenes and electron-rich bridged triarylamines, also known as N-heterotriangulenes. Its ability for chiral recognition in solution was revealed through UV/vis titrations with enantiopure helicenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Míguez‐Lago
- Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidade de VigoCampus Lagoas-Marcosende36310VigoSpain
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyChair of Organic Chemistry IFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Bettina D. Gliemann
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyChair of Organic Chemistry IFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergNikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Milan Kivala
- Organisch-Chemisches InstitutRuprecht-Karls-Universität HeidelbergIm Neuenheimer Feld 27069120HeidelbergGermany
- Centre for Advanced MaterialsRuprecht-Karls-Universität HeidelbergIm Neuenheimer Feld 22569120HeidelbergGermany
| | - María Magdalena Cid
- Departamento de Química OrgánicaUniversidade de VigoCampus Lagoas-Marcosende36310VigoSpain
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Huynh GT, Henderson EC, Frith JE, Meagher L, Corrie SR. Stability and Performance Study of Fluorescent Organosilica pH Nanosensors. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:6578-6587. [PMID: 34009994 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Long-term stability and function are key challenges for optical nanosensors operating in complex biological environments. While much focus is rightly placed on issues related to specificity, sensitivity, reversibility, and response time, many nanosensors are not capable of transducing accurate results over prolonged time periods. Sensors could fail over time due to the degradation of scaffold material, degradation of signaling dyes and components, or a combination of both. It is critical to investigate how such degradative processes affect sensor output, as the consequences could be severe. Herein, we used fluorescent core-shell organosilica pH nanosensors as a model system, incubating them in a range of common aqueous solutions over time at different temperatures, and then searched for changes in fluorescence signal, particle size, and evidence of silica degradation. We found that these ratiometric nanosensors produced stable optical signals after aging for 30 days at 37 °C in standard saline buffers with and without 10% fetal bovine serum, and without any evidence of material degradation. Next, we evaluated their performance as real-time pH nanosensors in bacterial suspension cultures, observing a close agreement with a pH electrode for control nanosensors, yet observing obvious deviations in signal based on the aging conditions. The results show that while the organosilica scaffold does not degrade appreciably over time, careful selection of dyes and further systematic investigations into the effects of salt and protein levels are required to realize long-term stable nanosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel T Huynh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Node, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Edward C Henderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Node, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jessica E Frith
- Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Laurence Meagher
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Simon R Corrie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Node, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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Chen WH, Dillon WDN, Armstrong EA, Moratti SC, McGraw CM. Self-referencing optical fiber pH sensor for marine microenvironments. Talanta 2021; 225:121969. [PMID: 33592803 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This study presents the development of an optical fiber pH sensor based on evanescent wave absorbance for continuous pH measurements in marine microenvironments. The sensing layer consists of an optimized sol-gel matrix of tetraethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane, which substantially improves the entrapment efficiency of the pH indicator meta-cresol purple, leading to a long useable lifetime. The optical fiber pH sensor conforms to the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network "weather" measurement quality guideline with precision of approximately 0.02 pH units, has a dynamic pHT range of 7.4-9.7 in seawater, a response time of 2.5-6.5 min and a useable lifetime of 7 days. The optical fiber pH sensor has additional advantages of being self-referencing, without the need of an external sensor reference, having a simple fabrication method and basic spectrometer instrumentation. The suitability of the optical fiber pH sensor was demonstrated in real-time measurements of the ecologically significant green seaweed Ulva sp. The optical fiber pH sensor monitored pH variations due to metabolic activity over 7 days within the seaweed canopy and 4 days within the diffusion boundary layer interface, demonstrating the suitability for measurements in marine microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Har Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wayne D N Dillon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Evelyn A Armstrong
- NIWA/University of Otago Centre for Oceanography, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Rabboh FM, O'Neil GD. Voltammetric pH Measurements in Unadulterated Foodstuffs, Urine, and Serum with 3D-Printed Graphene/Poly(Lactic Acid) Electrodes. Anal Chem 2020; 92:14999-15006. [PMID: 33140638 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The pH of a system is a critical descriptor of its chemistry-impacting reaction rates, solubility, chemical speciation, and homeostasis. As a result, pH is one of the most commonly measured parameters in food safety, clinical, and environmental laboratories. Glass pH probes are the gold standard for pH measurements but suffer drawbacks including frequent recalibration, wet storage of the glass membrane, difficulty in miniaturization, and interferences from alkali metals. In this work, we describe a voltammetric pH sensor that uses a three-dimensional (3D)-printed graphene/poly(lactic acid) filament electrode that is pretreated to introduce quinone functional groups to the graphene surface. After thoroughly characterizing the pretreatment parameters using outer-sphere and inner-sphere redox couples, we measured pH by reducing the surface-bound quinones, which undergo a pH-dependent 2e-/2H+ reduction. The position of the redox peak was found to shift -60 ± 2 mV pH-1 at 25 °C, which is in excellent agreement with the theoretical value predicted by the Nernst Equation (-59.2 mV pH-1). Importantly, the sensors did not require the removal of dissolved oxygen prior to successful pH measurements. We investigated the impact of common interfering species (Pb2+ and Cu2+) and found that there was no impact on the measured pH. We subsequently challenged the sensors to measure the pH of unadulterated complex samples, including cola, vinegar, an antacid tablet slurry, serum, and urine, and obtained excellent agreement compared to a glass pH electrode. In addition to the positive analytical characteristics, the sensors are extremely cheap and easy to fabricate, making them highly accessible to a wide range of researchers. These results pave the way for customizable pH sensors that can be fabricated in (nearly) any geometry for targeted applications using 3D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakher M Rabboh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
| | - Glen D O'Neil
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
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