Fast responsive, optical trace level ammonia sensor for environmental monitoring

Chemistry Central Journal

Tobias Abel¹  Birgit Ungerböck¹  Ingo Klimant¹  Torsten Mayr¹ 

[1] Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, Graz, 8010, Austria

关键词: Two wavelength ratiometric referencing;    Dual lifetime referencing;    Aqua culture;    Fish farming;    Fluorescence sensor;    Ammonia sensor;    Optical sensor;   

Others  :  788051
DOI  :  10.1186/1752-153X-6-124

 received in 2012-09-07, accepted in 2012-10-24,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Ammonia is a ubiquitous chemical substance which is created in technical and biological processes and harmful to many different organisms. One specific problem is the toxicity of ammonia in fish at levels of 25 μg/l - a very common issue in today’s aqua culture. In this study we report a development of a fast responsive, optical ammonia sensor for trace concentrations.

Results

Different hydrogels have been investigated as host polymers for a pH based sensing mechanism based on fluorescent dyes. A porous hydrophobic fluoropolymer membrane was used as an ion barrier cover layer to achieve a good ammonia permeability. The sensor’s sensitivity towards ammonia as well as crosssensitivity towards pH-value and salinity, and the temperature dependency have been determined. Two different methods to reference fluorescence signals have been employed to eliminate intensity-based measurement drawbacks.

Conclusion

The presented sensor features high sensitivity and a fast response even at concentrations near 1 ppb. No cross sensitivity towards pH and salinity could be observed and temperature dependency was determined as compensateable. Both referencing approaches prove themselves to be able to provide a simple use of the sensor for in-field applications.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Abel et al.; licensee Chemistry Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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