A supramolecular microfluidic optical chemosensor.
A supramolecular microfluidic optical chemosensor (muFOC) has been fabricated. A serpentine channel has been patterned with a sol-gel film that incorporates a cyclodextrin supramolecule modified with a Tb(3+) macrocycle. Bright emission from the Tb(3+) ion is observed upon exposure of the (mu)FOC to biphenyl in aqueous solution. The signal transduction mechanism was elucidated by undertaking steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements directly on the optical chemosensor patterned within the microfluidic network. The presence of biphenyl in the cyclodextrin receptor site triggers Tb(3+) emission by an absorption-energy transfer-emission process. These results demonstrate that the intricate signal transduction mechanisms of supramolecular optical chemosensors are successfully preserved in microfluidic environments.
Rudzinski
Christina M
CM
Department of Chemistry, 6-335, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307, USA.
Young
Albert M
AM
Nocera
Daniel G
DG
D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013725:Terbium / Q000737:chemistry*
D003505:Cyclodextrins; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013725:Terbium