Electrochemical-to-Optical Signal Transduction for Ion-Selective Electrodes with Light-Emitting Diodes

Anal Chem. 2018 Nov 6;90(21):12791-12795. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b03213. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Abstract

Optical ion sensors normally have a relative narrow sensitive detection window. Here, based on multicolor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), we report on an electrochemical-to-optical signal transduction scheme under chronoamperometry control to convert the potentiometric response of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) to optical output with tunable sensitivity and much wider response range. The sensing principle was demonstrated on K+, Ca2+, and Pb2+. LED light intensity was found to depend linearly on the concentration of monovalent ions. Optical signals could be captured with photomultiplier tubes or digital cameras, and a visual alarming system to monitor abnormal ion concentration was also developed from super-Nernstian electrodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't