A Supramolecular Microfluidic Optical Chemosensor

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Abstract
A supramolecular microfluidic optical chemosensor (μFOC) has been fabricated. A serpentine channel has been patterned with a sol−gel film that incorporates a cyclodextrin supramolecule modified with a Tb3+ macrocycle. Bright emission from the Tb3+ ion is observed upon exposure of the μFOC to biphenyl in aqueous solution. The signal transduction mechanism was elucidated by undertaking steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements directly on the optical chemosensor patterned within the microfluidic network. The presence of biphenyl in the cyclodextrin receptor site triggers Tb3+ emission by an absorption-energy transfer-emission process. These results demonstrate that the intricate signal transduction mechanisms of supramolecular optical chemosensors are successfully preserved in microfluidic environments.