An organic hydrogel film with micron-sized pillar array for real-time and indicator-free detection of Zn(2+)

Abstract

A hydrogel sensing film for a real-time and indicator-free detection of Zn(2+) is developed by embedding a fluorescent indicator 11,16-bis( phenyl)-6,6,21,21-tetramethyl-m-benzi-6,21-porphodimethene in a hydrogel host poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The sensing film shows high stability and selectivity to Zn(2+). The sensitivity of the sensing film is increased by fabricating a micron-sized pillar array on the surface of the sensing film to increase the surface area. For Zn(2+) concentrations of 10 (4) and 10 (3) M, the response time is 30 and 3 s, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.