Sol-gel coatings for optical chemical sensors and biosensors

Brian D. MacCraith; Colette M. McDonagh; Gerard O'Keeffe; Aisling K. McEvoy; Thomas M. Butler; Fidelma R. Sheridan

doi:10.1117/12.188986

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13 October 1994 Sol-gel coatings for optical chemical sensors and biosensors

Brian D. MacCraith, Colette M. McDonagh, Gerard O'Keeffe, Aisling K. McEvoy, Thomas M. Butler, Fidelma R. Sheridan

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Proceedings Volume 2288, Sol-Gel Optics III; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.188986
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

In this paper an overview is presented of the state-of-the-art of optical sensors which employ sol-gel-derived coatings. The technique is particularly suited to the side-coating of optical fibers or waveguides in evanescent-wave sensors because precise control of sensitivity- determining parameters, such as the coating thickness and length, is achievable. Sensors based on entrapped organic and inorganic dyes, enzymes and other biomolecules have been reported. The main features of the process are illustrated by examples of chemical sensors and biosensors from the literature. In particular, the development of an oxygen sensor based on the quenching of fluorescence from a sol-gel-entrappd ruthenium complex is described. This sensor may be operated in intensity or decay-time mode. The latter offers many advantages over intensity-based sensing and may also be used to provide useful diagnostic information concerning the distribution/accessibility of the sensor fluorophore. Issues which require further investigation before this technology can proceed to the stage of industrial development are also highlighted.

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Brian D. MacCraith, Colette M. McDonagh, Gerard O'Keeffe, Aisling K. McEvoy, Thomas M. Butler, and Fidelma R. Sheridan "Sol-gel coatings for optical chemical sensors and biosensors", Proc. SPIE 2288, Sol-Gel Optics III, (13 October 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.188986

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