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A Broad-Range Fluorescence Lifetime pH Sensing Material Based on a Single Organic Fluorophore

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Abstract

A general drawback for optical based pH sensors is that their response is typically limited to within 2–3 pH units centered around the pKa of the indicator. Fluorescence lifetime (FL) is a particularly compelling basis for highly stable pH sensors since this is an intrinsic property of the indicator molecule. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to broaden the sensing range of FL based sensors significantly by placing the indicator in a support material where the indicator’s chemical environment itself changes with pH. For acridine immobilized in amine-modified porous silica, a total FL change of 20 ns in the pH range 2–12 is achieved. A linear pH vs FL relationship is observed with three break points occurring at pH 4, 6 and 9 that are related to the pKa values of the indicator and the silica material. This proves the concept that tuning the fluorophore’s chemical environment can broaden the FL pH sensing range, where currently available fluorophores do not cover the full pH range.

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Acknowledgements

The present study was supported by the Research Council of Norway (grant number 269090), and by Aanderaa – a Xylem brand.

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Author notes

  1. Christian Totland

    Present address: NGI – Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Sognsveien 72, 0855, Oslo, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007, Bergen, Norway

    Christian Totland & Tore Skodvin

  2. NORCE Norwegian Research Center AS, Fantoftvegen 38, 5072, Bergen, Norway

    Peter J. Thomas

  3. Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Allégaten 55, 5007, Bergen, Norway

    Bodil Holst & Naureen Akhtar

  4. Aanderaa – a Xylem brand, Sanddalsringen 5b, N-5225, Nesttun, Norway

    Jostein Hovdenes

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  1. Christian Totland
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  2. Peter J. Thomas
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Correspondence to Christian Totland.

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Totland, C., Thomas, P.J., Holst, B. et al. A Broad-Range Fluorescence Lifetime pH Sensing Material Based on a Single Organic Fluorophore. J Fluoresc 29, 1125–1131 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-019-02426-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-019-02426-9

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