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A fiber-optic redox sensor for the iron(III)–iron(II) transition

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Abstract

A phenosafranine-containing Nafion film attached to the distal end of a fiber-optic probe forms a functional redox-sensitive optical sensor. The synthetic cationic photoactive dye phenosafranine, 3,7-diamino-5-phenylphenazinium chloride, responds with changes in light absorbance between its oxidized and reduced forms. This optical property persists when phenosafranine is sorbed into Nafion, a perfluorosulfonate anionic film. Optical properties of the sensor are similar to those seen by others in solution. At high redox conditions, such as an open nitrogen-purged aqueous pH 6.5 solution, optical absorbance of phenosafranine is high, while at low redox conditions, such as an aqueous pH 6.5 iron(II) solution, optical absorbance of phenosafranine is low. Titration of a closed pH 6.5 aqueous solution with a standard iron(II) solution lowers redox potential in a predictable manner and can be followed by the optical redox sensor in parallel with a commercial redox potential electrode.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a Tufts University Faculty Research Award and the Tufts University Summer Scholar program. The authors also thank Professor Rob White of the Tufts University Mechanical Engineering Department for the aid in film analysis. Portions of this work were presented at the ACS Annual Meeting, ENVR Division, Boston, MA on August 22, 2010.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Wayne Chudyk, Christine Sotolongo & Eric Mueller

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  1. Wayne Chudyk
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  2. Christine Sotolongo
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  3. Eric Mueller
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Correspondence to Wayne Chudyk.

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Chudyk, W., Sotolongo, C. & Mueller, E. A fiber-optic redox sensor for the iron(III)–iron(II) transition. Environ Monit Assess 186, 415–420 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3386-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3386-x

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