Potentiometric Ion-, Gas-, and Bio-Selective Membrane Electrodes

Selective ion-sensing with membrane-functionalized electrolyte-gated carbon nanotube field-effect transistors

In this work the ion-selective response of an electrolyte-gated carbon-nanotube field-effect transistor (CNT-FET) towards K(+), Ca(2+) and Cl(-) in the biologically relevant concentration range from 10(-1) M to 10(-6) M is demonstrated. The ion-selective response is achieved by modifying the gate-electrode of an electrolyte-gated CNT-FET with ion-selective membranes, which are selective towards the respective target analyte ions. The selectivity, assured by the ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) based membrane, allows the successful application of the herein proposed K(+)-selective CNT-FET to detect changes in the K(+) activity in the μM range even in solutions containing different ionic backgrounds. The sensing mechanism relies on a superposition of both an ion-sensitive response of the CNT-network as well as a change of the effective gate potential present at the semiconducting channel due to a selective and ion activity-dependent response of the membrane towards different types of ions. Moreover, the combination of a CNT-FET as a transducing element gated with an ion-selective coated-wire electrode offers the possibility to miniaturize the already well-established conventional ion-selective electrode setup. This approach represents a valuable strategy for the realization of portable, multi-purpose and low-cost biosensing devices.

Recent trends in potentiometric sensor arrays--a review

Nowadays there exists a large variety of ion sensors based on polymeric or solid-state membranes that can be used in a sensor array format in many analytical applications. This review aims at providing a critical overview of the distinct approaches that were developed to build and use potentiometric sensor arrays based on different transduction principles, such as classical ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) with polymer or solid-state membranes, solid-contact electrodes (SCE) including coated wire electrodes (CWE), ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) and light addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS). Analysing latest publications on potentiometric sensor arrays development and applications certain problems are outlined and trends are discussed.

Bis-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde Schiff-Base Cobalt(II) Complex as a Neutral Carrier for a Highly Selective Iodide Electrode

A new solvent polymeric membrane electrode based on N,N'-bis-(dimethylaminobenzaldehyde)-glycine cobalt(II) [Co(II)-BDMABG] as a neutral carrier is described, which displays a preferential potentiometric response to iodide ion and an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence in the following order: I- > ClO4- > Sal- > SCN- > NO2- > Br- > NO3- > Cl- > SO3(2-) > SO4(2-). The electrode exhibits a near-Nernstian potential linear range of 9.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-1) M with a detection limit of 6.8 x 10(-7) M and a slope of -53.0 mV/decade in pH 2.0 of a phosphate buffer solution at 20 degrees C. The response mechanism is discussed in view of the A.C. impedance technique and the UV spectroscopy technique. The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of iodide in Jialing River and Spring in Jinyun Mountains with satisfactory results.

Recent advances in amperometric glucose biosensors for in vivo monitoring

Electrochemical biosensors for glucose, based on the specific glucose oxidizing enzyme glucose oxidase, have generated considerable interest. Several commercial devices based on this principle have been developed and are widely used for in vitro monitoring of glucose e.g. in hospitals, doctors surgeries and for home monitoring by patients themselves. A significant advance in the application of biosensor technology would be the development of portable, implantable sensors which could continuously indicate the blood glucose concentration, enabling swift corrective action to be taken by the patient. This review highlights recent developments in amperometric glucose biosensors for in vivo monitoring and also considers the remaining barrier which need to be overcome to enable successful introduction of an implantable sensor.