Polymeric optodes based on upconverting nanorods for fluorescent measurements of pH and metal ions in blood samples

Optical thin films incorporating NaYF(4):Er,Yb upconverting nanorods and chromoionophore ETH 5418 in hydrophobic polymer matrixes have been developed for the first time to measure pH and metal ions based on the ion-exchange mechanism. The absorption spectra of protonated and unprotonated ETH 5418 overlap the two emission peaks of upconverting material, respectively, which makes the inert nanorods ion-sensitive. Optodes for pH and metal ions (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Cu(2+)) were investigated and exhibited excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. Because of excitation by the 980 nm laser source, detection in the near-infrared region at 656 nm, and high quantum yield of the nanorods in hydrophobic membrane, the proposed sensors have been successfully used in whole blood measurements with minimized background absorption and sample autofluorescence.