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Research progress on potential sensing technology of polymer sensitive membrane in coastal zone
The polymer membrane ion-selective electrode is a type of potentiometric sensor that emerged in the 1960s. It offers advantages such as high selectivity, ease of use, low cost, and reliable performance, making it widely applicable in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and other fields. To further enhance the response characteristics of membrane electrodes and expand their application in potential sensing, Dr. Qin Wei from the Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Process and Bioremediation at the Yantai Institute of Coastal Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducted a comprehensive study.
**1. High-sensitivity potential detection under strong electrolyte conditions**
One of the major challenges in using ion-selective electrodes is the interference from background ions, which limits their use in complex matrices like seawater. To address this, the research team developed an asymmetric polymer ion-selective membrane where a lipophilic ion exchanger was applied directly on the surface rather than uniformly throughout the polymer. This approach effectively minimized the diffusion of main ions into the membrane, significantly improving the sensitivity for trace ion detection. Additionally, the use of a rotating electrode technique reduced the thickness of the aqueous diffusion layer, increasing the ion transport rate. Using copper ions as a model analyte, the system achieved a detection limit of 3.5 × 10â»Â¹â° mol/L in a 0.5 mol/L NaCl background. This breakthrough opens new possibilities for detecting trace heavy metals in seawater. The findings were published in *Analytical Chemistry* (2012, 84(24), 10509–10513; IF=5.856).
**2. Biosensing based on transient ion intermediates**
Traditional ion-selective biosensors typically rely on the potential signal from reactants or stable products. However, many important reactions involve non-ionic species, which are not suitable for potentiometric detection. To overcome this, the research group introduced a novel concept: detecting the potential response of transient ionic intermediates. By designing a membrane capable of selectively capturing these intermediates, they enabled potentiometric detection of previously undetectable reactions. As an example, they used peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of N,N',N,N'-tetramethylbenzidine. By capturing cation radicals and imine cations, the method achieved a hydrogen peroxide detection limit of 10â»â¹ M—three orders of magnitude lower than existing methods. This technique is well-suited for environmental water analysis, including seawater and rainwater. The results were published in *Chemical Communications* (2012, 48, 4073–4075; IF=6.169).
**3. A new biosensing model using neutral molecules**
The potential response of neutral phenol molecules on polymer membranes has been a notable discovery in potentiometric analysis over the past two decades. However, its low sensitivity has prevented practical applications in environmental or biological analysis. In this study, the research group found that neutral oligomeric phenols exhibit a much stronger anionic response than monomeric phenols on quaternary ammonium salt-doped membranes. Based on this, they developed the first potentiometric nuclease biosensor by using G-quadruplex nuclease to generate oligomeric phenols from phenol. Compared to optical methods, potentiometric sensors offer higher sensitivity, lower cost, and resistance to color and turbidity. This technology enables homogeneous solution-based nucleic acid hybridization and DNA damage detection, with promising applications in environmental toxicology. The work was published in *Analytical Chemistry* (2013, DOI: 10.1021/ac3035629; IF=5.856).