Lithuanian researchers have developed novel organic compounds which can act as highly sensitive oxygen sensors which provide rapid, reliable detection even at low concentrations.
Described in a recent publication within the journal Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, the sensors have a wide range of potential applications from medical to biotech and cell cultivation.
Thanks to unique organic molecules discovered by the researchers, the new sensors avoid the heavy metals traditionally found in phosphorescence applications. "These metals are very expensive, which greatly increases the cost of the final product. In addition, their derivatives are often toxic and harmful to the environment. For these reasons, their use is particularly problematic in biology, medicine or the food industry, where safety is the highest priority," said Gužauskas, a researcher at the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).
The new compounds developed by the team show record breaking sensitivity with one of the compounds showing the highest ever recorded Stern–Volmer constant in an organic, metal-free sensor.
The exceptional sensitivity opens a wide potential range of applications for the sensors.
"We see particular potential in medicine and are keen to find partners who could help us assess the materials' biological compatibility and explore their use in cell or tissue research," added Gužauskas.
Synthesizing the sensors is relatively straight forward and based on well-established chemical reactions, meaning that sensor production can be easily scaled up once conditions are optimized.