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Synthesis and Operation of Fluorescent-core Microcavities for Refractometric Sensing
Published on: March 13, 2013
Luminescence detection with a liquid core waveguide.
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1061.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 14, 2011
Summary
A novel fluoropolymer tube enables simple, inexpensive liquid core waveguide luminescence detectors for chemiluminescence and photoluminescence. These detectors offer excellent sensitivity and broad applications, including flow injection analysis and capillary electrophoresis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Optical Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Traditional luminescence detectors can be complex and expensive.
- There is a need for simplified, cost-effective detection systems for various analytical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel liquid core waveguide luminescence detector based on a fluoropolymer tube.
- To demonstrate the versatility and sensitivity of this new detector design for both chemiluminescence and photoluminescence.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a novel detector using a fluoropolymer tube as a liquid core waveguide.
- Transverse illumination for photoluminescence detection, enabling operation without monochromators.
- Coupling of emitted light to photodetectors via optical fibers without focusing optics.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated detection of various analytes including fluorescein, NH3, methylene blue, Rhodamine 560, formaldehyde, hypochlorite, and sulfate.
- Achieved low limits of detection (LODs) for multiple analytes, e.g., 150 pM fluorescein, 200 amol in CE, 1 nM Rhodamine 560.
- Showcased simple fabrication for flow-through configurations and effective light coupling to photodetectors.
Conclusions:
- The proposed fluoropolymer tube design offers a simple, inexpensive, and highly sensitive platform for luminescence detection.
- This approach is suitable for diverse applications, including flow injection analysis and capillary electrophoresis.
- The detector's design allows for efficient light collection and integration with various photodetectors.
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