title: Ratiometric Organic Fibers for Localized and Reversible Ion Sensing with Micrometer-Scale Spatial Resolution.
abstract: A fundamental issue in biomedical and environmental sciences is the development of sensitive and robust sensors able to probe the analyte of interest, under physiological and pathological conditions or in environmental samples, and with very high spatial resolution. In this work, novel hybrid organic fibers that can effectively report the analyte concentration within the local microenvironment are reported. The nanostructured and flexible wires are prepared by embedding fluorescent pH sensors based on seminaphtho-rhodafluor-1-dextran conjugate. By adjusting capsule/polymer ratio and spinning conditions, the diameter of the fibers and the alignment of the reporting capsules are both tuned. The hybrid wires display excellent stability, high sensitivity, as well as reversible response, and their operation relies on effective diffusional kinetic coupling of the sensing regions and the embedding polymer matrix. These devices are believed to be a powerful new sensing platform for clinical diagnostics, bioassays and environmental monitoring.
authors.affiliation: CNR NANOTEC-Istitute of Nanotechnology, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Università del Salento, via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Loretta L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: del Mercato
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Euromediterranean Center for Nanomaterial Modelling and Technology (ECMT), via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moffa
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Euromediterranean Center for Nanomaterial Modelling and Technology (ECMT), via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy.|Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica "Ennio De Giorgi", Università del Salento, via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Euromediterranean Center for Nanomaterial Modelling and Technology (ECMT), via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy.|Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica "Ennio De Giorgi", Università del Salento, via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pisignano
mesh_terms: D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007477:Ions; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D009930:Organic Chemicals
keywords: electrospinning; ion transport; layer-by-layer; nanofibers; sensors