Liquid-Core Hydrogel Optical Fiber Fluorescence Probes.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Existing optical fiber fluorescence probes often have complex structures.
• There is a need for sensitive and selective methods for small-molecule analyte detection, especially for on-site applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the development and characterization of a novel liquid-core hydrogel optical fiber fluorescence probe.
• To demonstrate its potential for sensitive and selective small-molecule analyte detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a unique optical fiber probe with a liquid core, high-refractive-index hydrogel fiber core, and low-refractive-index hydrogel fiber cladding.
• Utilizing a sensing solution sealed within the liquid core to react with penetrating small-molecule targets.
• Quantifying fluorescence signal variations induced by target-analyte interactions.

Main Results:

• The proposed probe exhibits a unique structural design distinct from conventional probes.
• Demonstrated high sensitivity, accuracy, and selectivity in practical detection scenarios.
• The probe is simple, rapid to fabricate, and reusable, indicating cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The liquid-core hydrogel optical fiber fluorescence probe represents a novel sensing platform.
• It offers a promising solution for on-site small-molecule analyte detection challenges.
• The probe's design and performance pave the way for advanced sensing technologies.