Assessment of block and random copolymer overlayers on polymer optical fibers toward protein detection through electrostatic interaction

Abstract

A simple fiber optic based scheme for the selective detection of proteins, based on surface electrostatic interactions, is presented. The implementation of this method is conducted using a modified polymer optical fiber's surface and thin overlayers of properly designed sensitive copolymer materials with predesigned molecular characteristics. Block poly(styrene-b-2vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) and random PS-r-P2VP copolymers of the same monomers and similar molecular weights, were modified and used as sensing materials. This configuration proved to be efficient concerning the fast detection of charged proteins, and also the efficient discrimination of differently charged proteins such as lysozyme and bovine serum albumin. Results on the sensing performance of block and random copolymers are also discussed drawing conclusion on their efficiency given their considerable different fabrication cost.

Flat fibre and femtosecond laser technology as a novel photonic integration platform for optofluidic based biosensing devices and lab-on-chip applications: Current results and future perspectives

“…The development of integrated fibre laser and amplifiers could intrinsically compensate for transmission losses and more importantly allow the development of active sensing schemes. The surface physical patterning of flat fibres enables also the definition of low loss waveguides with novel polymeric materials like amphiphilic diblock copolymers [11,24] leading thus to intrinsically, by means of material, sensitive waveguides to a tailor made range of targeted analytes.…”

Characterization of Industrial Coolant Fluids and Continuous Ageing Monitoring by Wireless Node—Enabled Fiber Optic Sensors

“…However in order to provide a platform with the desired operational characteristics combined with low cost components, low power consumption, ease of handling, low cost processing, and environmental robustness in terms of electromagnetic interference EMI, the large core optical fibers [8,9] with appropriate sensitive overlayers offer a well-balanced solution. Therefore, polymer and silica optical fibers were considered and functionalized here using the fabrication flexibility of the sol-gel derived materials [38] by the appropriate incorporation of suitable pH indicators towards the development of pH sensitive overlayers.…”

“…Certain photonics technologies [5] mainly focused on large core optical fibers, have demonstrated some unique characteristics such as low cost, easy handling, compatibility with inexpensive transceivers, and also compatibility for easy and rapid customization [6,7]. Combining such low cost fibers functionalized with sensitive materials [8,9] is a realistic way for the development of reliable yet affordable sensing heads that could be employed as reusable or disposable sensors. Further to the above requirements there are also certain operational requirements regarding the interrogation complexity, circuitry and transceiver complexity that should be kept at a minimum level of cost.…”

Development of amphiphilic block copolymers as silica optical fiber overlayers for BSA protein detection

“…The combination of new sensing materials and large core optical fibers provide additionally flexibility, mechanical robustness, high degree of miniaturization, as well as long interaction length while their operational characteristics can allow the efficient integration of sensing heads in monitoring units. The deposition of such materials to an unclad segment of multimode polymer [23,24] or silica [25,26] optical fiber, which can act as both the sensing and signal collection element, can result to the development of low cost and low complexity sensors. The selection also of proper interrogation schemes like amplitude based or optical power interrogation in contrast to approaches based on spectral based detection [26] or in general on wavelength based interrogation [17] offers the additional capability of sensing heads integration in autonomous wireless networks for increased monitoring flexibility [27].…”