Novel oxygen sensitive complexes for optical oxygen sensing.

Novel optical sensing films for oxygen based on highly luminescent iridium (III) and ruthenium (II) complexes have been developed. These demonstrate excellent long-term photostability (several months) when incorporated into polystyrene membranes. The influence of different plasticizers on the specific luminescence quantum yield, the Stern-Volmer constant, the reversibility and the response time were evaluated. Additionally the sensing films can be sterilized by chemical cleaning and gamma-ray irradiation.

Fluoro reactants and dual luminophore referencing: a technique to optically measure amines.

An optical sensor for aqueous 1-butylamine is presented which combines two novel techniques: A fluorescent indicator dye (fluoro reactand) embedded in a thin polymer layer performs a reversible chemical reaction with the analyte, causing changes in luminescence intensity. At the same time, inert phosphorescent beads dispersed within the polymer layer provide luminescence signals that act as an internal reference for the indicator dye. As a consequence, the optical sensor is independent of light source fluctuations, ambient light, drifts in optoelectronic setup, or optical fiber bending.