Nanofibers: Ratiometric Organic Fibers for Localized and Reversible Ion Sensing with Micrometer-Scale Spatial Resolution (Small 48/2015)

Abstract

On page 6417, L. L. del Mercato, D. Pisignano, and co-workers report a new type of 3D nanostructured pH-sensing organic fiber with embedded ratiometric fluorescent capsules. Upon proton-induced switching, the fibers undergo optical changes that are recorded by fluorescence detectors and correlated to the analyte concentration. The developed electrospinning fabrication approach is facile and versatile and enables the creation of sensitive and highly robust pH-sensing 3D scaffolds for environmental monitoring and biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and wound healing.

Keywords: electrospinning; ion transport; layer-by-layer; nanofibers; sensors.